It’s so delicate, the light.
And there’s so little of it.
The dark is huge.
Just delicate needles, the light, in an endless night.
And it has such a long way to go through such desolate space.
So let’s be gentle with it.
Cherish it.
So it will come again in the morning.
We hope.

~ Rolf Jacobsen, “Just Delicate Needles”

Happy New Year, dear readers! I’m not yet sure how 2016 galloped in so fast, but here it is. A brand-new shiny year of possibility and hope. Time to pull new calendars out, hang them up and start afresh.

Believe it or not, I was going to write today’s column about something else, yet got diverted by a quotation that hit home on this winter morning, playing with the new large-screen computer Santa Claus left in place of my sadly outdated nine-year-old laptop. Santa wanted me to see things a bit more clearly, ’tis the truth.

Sometimes seeing things clearly comes in other forms. It’s sitting there right in front of us, but it takes a while to “SEE” the shimmering silver light of truth. We humans have a heck of a time with it; our petty brains get in the way of our tender hearts, we’re too quick to anger, blame, or envy.

If I were to give you only one piece of sage advice to hold in your hand this moment, this New Year, I’d pass on the quote from this morning, which I’ve taken to heart as well. (You can’t be worthy of handing out advice unless you take it yourself!)

“Life is too short. Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can’t change. Love deeply and forgive quickly.” We might not be here tomorrow—it can all be gone in an instant. Don’t waste happiness. Laugh a lot. Forgive. Love.

Saluda Welcome Table is every Tuesday, with dinner served from 5:30-7 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Saluda United Methodist Church.  All welcome; donations accepted.

Saluda School resumes classes on Jan. 5. Watch those big yellow buses out on the roads—there’s no need to pass like you’re a racehorse chomping at the bit. Just leave a few minutes early if in that big of a hurry! Don’t forget to save your box tops for Saluda School. Collection containers are located in Saluda Library, Saluda Post Office, and the school’s office.

There’s still time to honor a loved one with an engraved brick paver for Pace Park. Proceeds go toward building public restrooms at this community park to be located downtown near M.A. Pace Store. For additional information, contact Catherine Ross at 828-749-3534 or carnc@charter.net.

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) would benefit from your donations for this new year ahead, or your time as a volunteer for their many community projects. Make your resolution to help! Contact SCLT at 828-749-1560 or visit www.saludasclt.org.

The Saluda branch of Tree City USA meets at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month at  Saluda Library.

Happy January birthday to Nora Parks Anderson, Brandy Bradley, Alex Bardos, Carolyn Ashburn, Scott Kinard, Donna Bond, Greer Eargle, Wyatt Alan Pace, Irma Anderson, Paul Aaybe, Rich Rauschenbach, Phyllis Arrington, Kenneth Justus, Cheryl Harbin and Avery Lena Mintz. Please add your name to the list! No ages mentioned unless you’re under 2 or over 100!

May all of you have a happy New Year ahead, dear readers! Thank you for reading this column. As ever, the goal is to make you feel like you’re enjoying small town life in a friendly little mountain town called Saluda. Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com or 749-1153. I always love hearing from you! Or visit bonniebardosart.com for more writing and art, or find me on Facebook.