A NEW BEGINNING

A new year has begun. A clean slate. What would you want to write? That the year will be filled with adventure? That you accepted new challenges? Have you come to the point that 2022 has to be better? The old has gone away. Now the door is open to a new you. Are you willing to walk through?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

 

DESMOND TUTU (1931-2021)

 

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

 DIVISION I

DIVISION II

DIVISION III

NAIA

Missouri Baptist University

2021-SUMMARY

A few more days and 2021 will be history. While it had its  moments of confusion and angst it was far better than the previous year. 

Covid is still with us with the Omnicron variant but it isn't like the early days of Covid when there was so much uncertainty about what we were up against. The normalcy that was prior to the pandemic will be quite different, I believe.

I was pleased that we had the pride parade and  the queer March. People just needed to be together after being locked down for over a year. I picked up a few new skills along the way

As 2022 approaches, I go with an appreciation of things I may have taken for granted.

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

I love 'O Holy Night' on Christmas Eve, there's a service at the church where I grew up, and at midnight, we would 'O Holy Night' with candles.

~Rachel Boston 

YOU ARE LOVED

 The holidays can be a joyous time for many. For others, it can be bittersweet. Loss of loved ones, estrangement, isolation. I think of those folks in nursing homes, hospitals, and prisons. When I was in the service I missed being with my family. 

I encourage you to bet in contact with someone who may be alone. Lift someone's spirits. If you can, invite someone over to your place. You are loved and someone loves you! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

DIVISION I

                                           North Carolina State University Wolfpack

DIVISION II

                                                       Adams State College Grizzlies

DIVISION III 

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Johns Hopkins University Bluejays

NAIA

                                                      Milligan University Buffaloes

                                                            CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS (MEN)

 DIVISION I

                                               Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks

DIVISION II

                                                Grand Valley State University Lakers

DIVISION III

                                                  Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens

NAIA

Milligan University Buffaloes

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

JOY

The kind of happiness that doesn't depend on what happens.

SOCCER CHAMPIONS (WOMEN)

Division I

Division II

Division III

CONGRATULATIONS!

SOCCER CHAMPIONS

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS

MEN

Division I 

Division II

Division III

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

~C.S. Lewis, Writer (1898-1963)

TRIP TO THE VA

 I went to the Veterans Administration the other day to get some prescriptions refilled and make a doctor's appointment. I took note of the numerous men and women who served the country. Some were in wheelchair, scooters, and walkers. Age has slowed many down.

 I'm part of this group of veterans, having served three years in the army. Being a transgender veteran gives added meaning. Though I was wasn't out during my time, I can say that I performed my job (pharmacy tech) with distinction. Many of my fellow vets did likewise. 

NCAA FIELD HOCKEY CHAMPIONS

 DIVISION I

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS

DIVISION II

SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY RAIDERS

DIVISION III

MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE PANTHERS

CONGRATULATIONS!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

Saint Francis de Sales, Cleveland (1567-1622)

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

     Thanksgiving Day is about a week after Transgender Day of Remembrance.  I never saw the significance of this occasion until now. We celebrate the lives of transgender people lost to violence. We also are thankful for the impact they may have made on our lives. 

     I can imagine that it must be bittersweet when we realize that a member of the family will not be there to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner. The sting of our trans sibling being lost to senseless violence is strong. I temper that with the gratitude that they were a part of my journey. 

     Regardless of the feeling you may have about this holiday, reflect on the people who may no longer be here but will forever be in your heart. That is something to be thankful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

GENEVIEVE'S GEMS

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

~Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman Statesman (106BC-43BC)

BE THANKFUL