Support our Anderson VFD

It’s time for the Central Grimes County, Anderson Volunteer Fire Department, to conduct their annual fund drive. This organization depends greatly on success of the drive. They presently operate nine different fire apparatuses used for various situations and currently have 13 active volunteers that serve our area. Thanks to the generous contributions received last year this organization was able to pay off the note on the pumper truck that was purchased in 2020 and attend more training. All funds collected this year will go towards more training and the purchase of a new booster truck which will help them serve our community better.

Annual New Year’s Eve party

Well, here we are at the beginning of a new year. I wonder how long it will take us to forget to change the date to 2023. Hopefully it won’t take long at all.

In last week’s column I listed the names of those from the Keith area who died in 2022. Hopefully I didn’t forget anyone. If I did please forgive me. May the memory of all that died be forever blessed.

Train of Life reflection

It was not a good year for many of our family and friends, so as we began 2023, here is a poem we all need to reflect on about the “Train of Life.”

“At birth, we boarded the train of life and met our parents, and we believed that they would always travel by our side. However, at some station, our parents would step down from the train, leaving us on life’s journey alone. As time goes by, some significant people will board the train: siblings, other children, friends, and even the love of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we won’t realize that they vacated their seats! This train ride has been a mixture of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. A successful journey consists of having a good relationship with all passengers, requiring that we give the best of ourselves. The mystery that prevails is that we do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. Thus, we must try to travel along the track of life in the best possible way . . . loving, forgiving, giving, and sharing. When the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty, we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who continue to travel on the train of life. Let’s remember to thank our Creator for giving us life to participate in this journey. I close by thanking you for being one of the passengers on my train!”