Johnny Bullard
Guest Columnis
I apologize to my readers for my failure to provide a column last week. There are times in all our lives that resemble part of the lyrics of an old African spiritual: "If you haven't had any rain in your life, wait a while." Nevertheless, on we go into 2025. Some people have stated, "The entire Month of January is f illed with Mondays." I do know how they feel. After six or seven weeks of being in the celebratory and festive mode that begins with Thanksgiving, January can be a bit of a challenge at times. Monday, Jan. 13, it was gray and rainy all day long and cold. Some people hate these kinds of days, but I rather enjoy them as a time to recharge one's self as it were, rest, sip coffee, read good books and watch a movie. I did all of these: enjoyed some coffee gifted to me at Christmas, read a John Grisham novel, and watched a great movie entitled "Triple Six Eight" and found the day to be a blessing. Plus, we really did need the rain. On Monday, Jan. 20, we celebrated a national holiday honoring Nobel Peace Prize Winner and slain Civil Rights leader, the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We will also welcome the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. History remembered, and history in the making. Let's all spend some time this week reflecting on our dream for America as we remember Dr. King's famous "I Have A Dream” speech, and let's also lift our new President up in our prayers. No matter our political leanings, we are all Americans. Let's not forget that our fellow Americans are still suffering from the aftermath of storms here in our own Sunshine State, in Western North Carolina and parts of Tennessee. Let's also remember those folks in California who are literally being "tried by devastating fires." Yet, amidst all these troubles, let's give the Lord thanks for the gifts of His mercy, love, grace and forgiveness. Oh, if you live long enough as I have, you might see one of your former elementary students become a Circuit Judge. I had the blessing of seeing Kathryn "Katy" Reid Land installed as the Third Judicial Circuit's newest Circuit Judge in an impressive ceremony on Friday, Jan. 10, in the historic courtroom of the Suwannee County Courthouse. Katy is married to Suwannee County Commissioner Travis Land, and they have three children. She is the daughter of former longtime Hamilton County Sheriff Harrell Reid and Judy Reid of Jasper. Congratulations Katy. Enjoy the blessings of life and the glorious beauty around us here in our beloved home, "Way down upon the Suwannee River." We have a lot for which we can all give thanks.