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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.
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Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications. Edward lives in New York City with two blondes—his wife, Julee, and Golden Retriever, Millie, who has been featured in his blog and popular videos. Edward loves cycling, hiking with Millie at his house in the Berkshire Hills and Wolverines that hail from Michigan.
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Edward- I have been reading DG for many years and well remember Van Varner. The year I read in the introduction that he had died I cried, and I have for others as well. But what motivated me to write this today is that tomorrow I will be excited for another year to open- officially- my 2011 issue of Daily Guieposts. I have followed a ritual for many years of ordering my new issue in the summer when the offer arrives, opening it only enough to pull out the bill to be paid, and then put it away until January 1st. I wait until Jan 1st every year to see who will be my 'friends' for this year, read the theme for the year and get generally acquainted with the new issue. I spend more time on this first day of the year partly because I have more time this day than I might most days. I read each new bio as the writer is identified in the selections each new day and love keeping up with all of you. Many mornings, I am moved in the joys and struggles, sorrows and triumphs that you go through as I know we each do. This year, I am hoping to be more connected to you all in emails or blog comments, and to attempt to read some of the other publications written by your authors. Please spread my Happy New Year wishes around as I mean for them to be 'heard' by each of you. Thank you all for the ways God has used you to speak to my heart and my life in His manifold ways all these many years. I look forward to meeting you each in Heaven, if God doesn't provide a way before then!!! Carry on as you do so well, my special friends. Hugs, Debbie Hudson
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