New Year’s 2025

The world looks washed clean this morning A cross, bridges, rooftops, bare branches, and the city skyline, timeless and lovely from our view on the 7 train. Heaven closed 2024 with a resounding winter thunderstorm. Afterwards, wave after wave of fireworks brought in 2025. The ball dropped in Times Square.

“Will you turn the coffee pot on?” 2025 began in the same manner as 2024 did – the Word and prayer. It’s these early mornings with God that sustained us in 2024. They will in 2025.

We’re riding to the magnificent Grand Central Station where we plan to catch the Metro North train for that beautiful ride (too many adjectives?) along the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie. Sister Christianah is preparing Nigerian food for us and the family. Brandt and Abigael (Daramola) Nightingale are out. Eric, our friend from Ghana will ride the train with us. I can’t think of a better way to begin 2025.

Yesterday in the building elevator, my neighbor wished me a “Happy New Year.” I returned the greeting, saying that I hoped 2025 would be a better year than 2024 had been. I was reproved when she said, “I’m glad to be alive. I work at Elmhurst Hospital where I see so many young people die – twenty-two years old! I’m glad to be alive,” she repeated.

I read Psalm 51 this morning. I love it and the washing while I read, and then on to the verse I woke up with,  “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). This is my desire in 2025 for myself and each of you.

God bless you in the New Year. Thank you for your friendship. Berniece

Evening: Lights line the shore across the Hudson River outside the train windows. We fared sumptuously on Nigerian food for dinner. Before dinner, Minister Isaac Akinyombo prayed a New Year’s blessing. Brother Dayo encouraged us to not mind the length of the prayer (because of dinner waiting), and I felt it was the best way to begin 2025. After several lively discussions, the songbooks came out and voices blended in praise to our Creator. We ended with, “Blest be the Tie that Binds.” It’s been a day to hold in our memory.