HI, Ron:

How nice to see you. We've missed you at the table. Are you sure you're not more than one person? I can't believe one person could do everything that you do.

Tonight, Ruth and I are going to Watch Night at our church. Watch Night is a tradition honoring the night when slaves gathered together awaiting the stroke of midnight, when slavery would be abolished. Most black churches honor that experience, remembering it in special services on New Year's Eve. This will be a rare experience for me, as I am not singing with the Men's Chorus tonight. This is my tenth year in the Chorus, and the first time I've ever sat in the congregation, rather than sing with them. But, this is New Year's Eve, too, and I want to sit with my wife. I mean, I love the guys in the Men's Chorus, but they can't hold a candle to Ruth.

Here's wishing all a great New Year!

Jerry