Just a few words to ring in the New Year and wish you all a blessed and fruitful 2011, and to thank you for being a friend to the Guideposts organization. I know we can count on you in the coming year.
The truth is, though, I imagine everyone’s too busy getting ready for New Year’s Eve to read this blog. That’s okay. I don’t really have any plans but Julee and I like it that way. So does Millie. She wants us to stay home, set out lots of snacks and share a little. She does not seem to understand that corn chips and hot sauce aren’t good for Golden Retrievers. But I’ll find something for her.
This day always makes me think of Van Varner, the late editor-in-chief of Guideposts who hired and mentored many of the current editorial staff. Van’s influence endures in every inspirational story we tell. Van loved New Year’s Eve. Well, he loved holidays in general…any excuse to have fun or throw a party. And on New Year’s Eve after the office closed at noon he would treat anyone who was still around to a glass of champagne and a toast or two. He was the ultimate host, chortling and filling everyone’s plastic champagne flutes, which he stored the rest of the year in a closet.
We all know people like Van, people who can light up a room with the gleam in their eyes, people who make us feel special because they are so special. Their charisma is contagious. Van was special and we miss him, a little more it feels like on the last day of the year.
Which is all I really wanted to say: Happy New Year’s, Van!
P.S. Be sure to go here and find out what we think our 10 most inspiring stories of the year were. Then tell us yours.
