News-Record.com

Another year gone. Wow. How does it happen so fast?

When you get some age on you, the years sort of blend together in your memory. But, a few stand out. Here are my best and worst:

Best

-- 1973-77: Student years at Carolina. What could be finer?

-- 1977: Graduate, start working at The Mountaineer in Waynesville (a really fun place) and marry Margaret -- all within a span of six weeks.

-- 1981: The firstborn arrives. Nothing more thrilling could ever happen.

-- 1982: Very eventful. In January, we move to Washington, where I take a job working as press secretary for Congressman Gene Johnston. That November, 6th District voters fire us. But in December, I land a press relations position in the U.S. Department of Labor. And the second son appears just in time for Christmas.

-- 1984: Having enjoyed all we can stand of the Washington experience, we return to North Carolina, settling happily in High Point. In general, the country is finally heading in the right direction again.

-- 2002: We take a terrific trip to Scotland and Ireland; in Ireland, we meet about 50 of my relatives and visit my late grandmother's homeplace, still occupied by her nephew.

-- 2004: Career highlight -- working for the N&R.

-- 2006: I'm an optimist.

Worst:

-- 1968: A year of turmoil, confusing for a kid of 12 or 13. Tet offensive in Vietnam, protests at home, MLK and RFK assassinations, riots. What kind of future was this country going to have?

-- 2001: My dad has cancer, suffers for months, then dies amid the horror of the 9/11 attacks. The most emotionally exhausting time of my life.

My list of "best" years is longer than my list of "worst," and the good years far outnumber the bad. I've been blessed.

I wish you all the best in '06.