By Bruce Holland, Publisher
Like many of you, I found 2022 an incredibly challenging year. Covid, the war in Ukraine, the threat of a recession, the effects of climate change, are but a few of the challenges that continue to impact our lives.
It was a year when I lost a life-long friend, Jim Power. Jim and I grew up in Shad Bay and stayed friends and stayed connected our whole lives. At least once a year, usually in the spring, we would go on an adventure. We maintained this tradition even through Covid. Jim was one of the best athletes to come out of Shad Bay, setting many Provincial records and winning many Provincial Softball Championships in his early years. One of the things I admire most about Jim was that he was a stayat-home DAD! While Jim’s wife, Marinda, maintained a full -time job, Jim stayed home to raise their four children and brought revenue into the home by writing novels and articles for many publications. If you ever met Jim these things would surprise you about him. He stood six foot two inches tall, pushed 250 lbs, and was a bit of an Ogre. Jim loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, which was another way he contributed to the household. Some might describe him as a bit of a “bull in a China shop!” Underneath that gruff exterior was a sensitive, loving, caring man, who would literally “give you the shirt off his back” if he thought you deserved it.
Jim was not the only person close to me that we lost this past year. There were many more, and I’m sure many of you are mourning the loss of much-loved family and friends as well. The blessing I look forward to is seeing all my family and friends in the next life! No matter what you believe, please let me extend my heart felt condolences to you if you lost someone close to you!
As 2023 comes in and we look forward to what might lye ahead, let us continue to remember the lives of those we lost and the many contributions they made to this world! We can make a difference, a kind word, a gentle smile, are easy to do and can have a positive effect on those around us. In these times of significant change and challenges we need to build up those around us to make this world a better place to live, work, and play!
Wishing you all a wonderful 2023! May you have a healthy, happy, prosperous New Year!
