The echo

[Guest guest]

All stories copyright 2007 Bob PerksToday's message:"The Echo"by Bob Perks You hear so much about memories at this time of year.

From Thanksgiving Day on we are bombarded with the ideathat we are not only making memories but somehow building upon them.

It is the sites, sounds and smells of the holidays that trigger vivid flashbacks for me. The turkey taking center stage, the cranberries and sweet potatoes all make me think of mom.

The first Christmas bell, carol, or even laughter I hear, readies my mind for a long journey home and the loving sounds only family can provide.

But, oh how a whiff of chocolate, peanut butter cookies or pumpkinpie can set my soul a dancin' down memory lane!

It's easy for me to venture back to things I hold close to my heart. Ittakes very little to find myself remembering people, places and thingswhich somehow mixed in with the very essence of who I am today.

I swear if they checked my DNA, they'd come up with elements of chocolate chip cookie mixed with genetic traits of dancing when thespirit moved me and smiling when I hear my wife's voice.

Memories are as much a part of who I am as today's choices become apart of all I will become.

But what about this new years eve thing?

Just below the sound of horns tooting and bubbly bubbling, lies the stark reality of the passing of another year. Many struggle with all they wanted to do and didn't. Some struggle with all they think they can never accomplishand still others bask in the glow of success beyond measure.

For the first time in my 57 new year celebrations I have discovered the real truthabout time.

"The Echo."

If I take away all the fond, sweet feelings of the past and remove the element of regret from things I wanted to do right or things I did wrong, I am left withthe facts.

Everything I do in 2008 will be reflected in how I see my life on new years evethat year.

Thus, my theory of "The Echo."

If you stand in a canyon and shout, "Hello!" "Hello" comes back to you.

You can't yell, "How are you?" and get a reply, "Fine. Thanks for asking!"

2008 is like a canyon. You stand on the edge on new years eve and what you put into it will come back to you. The more you put in, the more will comeback. If you love more, you will get more love back. If you fear more, fear will come back.

So, this new years eve when you find yourself reflecting on 2007 remember, it has nothing at all to do with memories.

It's "The Echo."

What will you get back next year?

"I believe in you!"