As we celebrate the dawn of another new year, taking a quick peek in the rear view mirror can help us see the road ahead a bit more clearly.
As with most years, 2023 had highs and lows. In February, I got to see one of my favorite bands, Alter Bridge, again and discovered the opening act, Mammoth WVH was as good as I had hoped. At the beginning of March, Isabella (now no longer a teenager) stepped out on her own and moved into an apartment in Jasper. While that journey has not always been easy, it has helped her take one more step towards independence. Shannon and I took this opportunity to revamp her pink room into an office space/music room with a brand-new color palette.
In April and May, Gabrielle went to her senior prom and turned 18, I headed towards the back half of my mid 40s and we celebrated Easter — both on the same day this year. In addition, Shannon and I caught “our band” Gov’t Mule AND got to meet the band's frontman/amazing guitarist Warren Haynes. He was such a nice guy to take a few minutes to chat with us.
Gabi graduated from Jasper High School in late May, we celebrated that and also went to Cape San Blas again to unwind. Summer brought Father’s Day, I was asked to play in the local Rock Lotto event and had a blast, a visit to family, a Braves games (a loss to eventual champs Arizona Diamondbacks), hot air balloons landing on our street, more adventures with Zero the Bunny, Shannon and I seeing the hilarious Leanne Morgan in Louisville, plus the rising star Curtis Crow in Jasper. We also got our trees back into badly-needed shape thanks to O'Neal Tree Trimming.
In September, we celebrated 25 years of wedded bliss by visiting Franklin, Tenn., once more. Shannon celebrated 51 with her first tattoo!
We rounded out the year by gathering to celebrate our nephew’s wedding (where all of the cousins on that side were together at the same place/time for the first time we can recall). Thanksgiving was at a B&B in Tennessee and Christmas was in Georgia.
Daniel is still the Executive Minister/Worship Minister at Redemption Christian Church in southern Indiana, Shannon makes a lovely home, Bella will start part-time at Redemption in January as Media Assistant after a year of internship/training in the same role (she also maintains her employment at Wendy's in Jasper to help pay the bills). Gabi left her post at Wendy's after the summer break and began the 2023-2024 school year as a Teacher’s Assistant at Jasper Elementary School this year — and is excelling in the role. She also volunteers in the church’s Kids ministry and as a bass player in one of the church’s bands.
God knows what 2024 holds. He holds us in his hand.
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