Dear Honey Run Friends,
As I write this on the first day of the new year, I am uplifted with the bright sunshine that is illuminating the unseasonably warm day. What a great way to usher in 2017. There is something about a sunny day that lifts my spirits. As I reflect on the challenges we faced this year at The Inn at Honey Run, I am reminded of how great life is and all that I am thankful for experiencing.
As each year passes and I age, it is becoming more clear to me “how quickly the years pass.” In my youth, this phrase seemed to make sense, but it did not hold meaning to me. Well, I must have crossed that line in life, because today that phrase hits me on an emotional level. I found myself thinking the other day about how many more New Year’s celebrations I will be blessed to experience. I started to calculate my expected life age and subtract it from this year, and the number was alarmingly short. This realization awakened me to the fact that I need to make each year, no, each day, no, each moment count. We are not promised tomorrow.
This was compounded when I was checking out a guest this week, and the gentleman, here celebrating his 49th wedding anniversary with his bride who is currently fighting brain cancer, became emotional and started to cry at the front desk. You could see in his tears the joy of the past 49 years with this woman, as well as tears of fear of the idea that he may soon lose her in this life. While the pain of losing her may be unbearable, this time of year requires us to remember all that we have had. This couple has enjoyed 17,885 mornings of waking up next to each other. I am sure that not every morning has been a dream, but I am positive more have been good.
Make the conscious effort today that each day going forward for the rest of your life, you will see the joy that is before you. Focus on what you do have rather than what you don’t. Life is not perfect, but it is good. I see a number of you here enjoying time together and appreciating the natural beauty of our resort. My prayer for all of you this year is that you are able to take time to experience the moment you are in, and make a memory that will last a lifetime and beyond.
Happy New Year!
Jason
Thank you for that wonderful thought–so valid and so important!
Our appreciation for an extremely inspiring letter. We celebrated 50 years of marriage in June …..when the going gets tough I claim that some how or other we always find our way back to true north. Today will so be yesterday & history!
Jack & susie
What a refreshing reminder that living life is truly a privilege and it should be treasured each and every day, especially with the one you love.
Finding joy in everything we do and experience is a gift in itself. Blessings for an equally wonderful 2017.
My wife and I just spent our 50th wedding anniversary night at the Inn at Honey Run on December 23 and enjoyed it immensely. We have scheduled many special times together at the Inn and do enjoy the comforts and serenity that the Inn provides.
We too, thank our Lord JESUS for each day He blesses us with together.
None of us are promised tomorrow and therefore we must live each day with love for our mates, loved ones, and our fellow man.
We will pray for this couple in your letter and hold them up to our Lord for His Blessings and Healing Powers.
Thanks for sharing their story with us.
God Bless them and you in the future.
Thanks my friend…your message is a wonderful reminder as we enter a new year.
Thank you for that Jason. We will indeed hope to make it to your magical inn where troubles melt away and the meaning of life is renewed. We have been coming the the inn since the early 80’s and it’s so special to us!
What a beautiful awaking you created for so many as they read this. As I hit my 70th birthday this Christmas, I truly realize what a blessing each morning brings and the joy that can be celebrated. The Inn at Honey Run has brought great joy and memories for my husband and I. So glad a friend turned us on to this amazing place. Thank you
Thank you for those beautiful, empowering words. It reminds me of a wonderful prayer I read a few years ago:
“Lord, I can get so hung up on the small stuff that I let it ruin a day that is yet another perfect gift from you. Help me stay focused on the beauty and purpose of life and let the little stuff go.”
Beautiful thoughts for a brand new year. Praying for blessings for you!