Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois (c) Bill Oliver 4 January 2004 Vol 3 Issue: #01 ISBN: pending Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, An acquaintance wrote, "Always remember, family is still family, and Family History is not a burden, but a labor of love." [Thank you, Derek] Another, very distant acquaintance, wrote that newspapers articles should not be posted to lists. Well, HAPPY NEW YEAR, anyway, folks. This is a brand new year. Last year ended with the passing of a daughter; this year began with her memorial service. And, this is the time for making New Year's Resolutions. My resolutions are to eat everything fattening and disgusting in sight, sit around more and watch tv, fight with my wife and remaining children, and work as little as I can. I further resolve not to spend 2 hours every day reading in the bathroom, but rather to come out to do my reading, not to develop a regular daily routine, not to stop and smell the roses, not to slow down and remember what is important in life [family and family history] and not to remember my daily blessings. Now don't ask me as to whom to blame for New Year's Resolutions. Since we are sure that there were New Year celebrations way back in the Babylonian era, it is probable that that "whomever" didn't have an e-mail address. Well, historically speaking, the Babylonians didn't celebrate New Years the same way we do. First it was in March, rather than January, and it more coincided with the spring planting of crops. Thus, if you can't seem to get a good start on your New Year's Resolution(s) you can start again in March. Actually, new year celebrations have always been a time for reflecting upon the past, yet forward to coming times. It is that wishful thinking time for contemplating the changes we want [or need]; it is the forward motivational spirit. Tradition has it that what one does on the first day of the New Year will effect the rest of the year. So make your first day observations carefully. Also, deliberate what you resolve to do ... it can be "tough" to stick with. The literature tells us that the most oft broken resolution is about losing weight, and exercising more. I can believe it, because during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day I'm sure that I consume my weight in chocolate. Certainly, we don't know exactly when the first resolution was broken, however, I would wager that it closely followed the first resolution made. So, if you must break your resolution(s), do so with the knowledge that you are upholding a long standing tradition. Rest assured that resolution breaking dates back to ancient times; that you are in good company. Be it assured that I have already broken every resolution made above, especially the one about not stopping to smell the roses. Our Sarah grew them. I will forever appreciate the sight of daffodils, for she gave a bouquet of "home grown" to her mother every year. On a bit different tact, on January 6, 1933 Calvin Coolidge died. His outstanding record included never being defeated for an Office. He was known as a man of few words. This played a big part in his career. He was noted for waiting for circumstances to shape his destiny. He listened, he assimilated, and he waited until there appeared what seemed to be the soundest course. He did not try to make circumstances; but, when they appeared in the right configuration, he acted. Otherwise he waited. Coolidge was a lawyer, the first of his line to leave the New England "farm" in three centuries. He did take his family's frugal way of living out with him. He was our thirtieth president of the United States and shared with the first President the distinction of retiring before the nation was willing to let him do so. His outstanding characteristic was his ability to wait in silence. At first it made him a subject of ridicule. His opponents offered his career as a proof that if a man keeps his mouth shut long enough, something fortunate is likely to happen to him. Eventually his silence was regarded as a heroic manifestation and became a legend. Another great legend that I admired was Dizzy Gillespie, the trumpet player. He was a major player as a founding father of modern jazz. His signature moon cheeks and bent trumpet made him one of the world's most instantly recognizable figures. He died at Englewood Hospital in Englewood, N.J. On 6 January 1993. HAPPY NEW YEAR! May your genealogical brick walls come tumbling down in 2004. e-la-di-e-das-di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) Wado, Bill -=- PostScript: Other sites worth visiting: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html