My thoughts on 2022

Phone | 903-885-8663

Email | dave@ssnewstelegram.com

From the Publisher:

Today is January 1 st , 2022. I don’t know about you, but I’m having a hard time believing that.

It truly feels like yesterday when 2020 rolled into town like Mongo (Alex Karras), from one of my favorite movies, Blazing Saddles. You know, dirty and mean, real slow, on the back of a giantbull, scaring the hell out of everyone in his path. Then COVID hit us, you know, like Mongo hit that horse and knocked it out. But we got back up and greeted the pandemic with a laurel and hardy handshake. (if you haven’t seen the movie, you need to). We came together as a community, helping one another in a time of need. Sure, we could have sat around a campfire, blowing smoke out of our………. Anyway, you get my point.

I feel blessed to be a part of such a strong, loving, and vibrant community here in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. These last two years have truly flown by, at least they have for me.

We can probably attribute some of that to my advanced age (59). There are times I wake up and I feel 29. Then I wake up four more times that same night to use the bathroom and by the time morning comes, I feel 99. I bet my late father is looking down and having a good laugh. I gave him such a hard time when he was alive, especially when we took one of our many road-trips together and he made me stop, what seemed like every half an hour, so he could go to the bathroom. He’d say to me, “one day you’ll see what it’s like.” He was right and I hope he’s laughing his butt off because I deserve it.

2021 was a great year for me and feel incredibly blessed. My two grown daughters are happy, healthy, and successful in their careers. I work for a great company with a job that I love.

We bought an amazing building in the most beautiful downtown I’ve ever lived in and I’m going into my 12 th year of being happily single. I promise, once I get bored and miss arguing about absolutely ridiculous stuff, or miss getting yelled at, I’ll settle back down, I promise. Yeah, sure, there are days I wish I had some one there, waiting at home to criticize the way I eat, sleep and breath, but who wouldn’t miss that? For now, I’ll just settle for my loving dog Ivy, who greets me the way we should all be greeted when we walk in the front door, like we’re the greatest thing on Earth.

By now, most of you should know what a sarcastic sense of humor I have. Truth be told, I have an incredible relationship with both my ex-wives. There isn’t a week that goes by where I don’t talk to one or both of them. We even text. They ask me for advice about things happening in their lives and they love to remind me how I have the eating habits of a 7-yearold boy and how I need to do find a good woman, you know, because the third time’s the charm, right? LOL.

(My Dad had the perfect joke to insert right here, but I can’t write it down in today’s new world.) I tell both of my ex’s, “when I meet a woman who gets as excited as Ivy does when she sees me, I’ll marry her!!” Save your money, the odds in Vegas on that happening anytime soon are not good.

Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, 2022…. I’m a “cup is half-full” kinda guy, so I’m staying positive about 2022. Life always has its ups and downs. Nothing stays good forever, and nothing stays bad forever. We must enjoy the good times, weather the bad times and just be grateful and thankful for what we have and not dwell on what we don’t have. You didn’t think I was that deep, huh? I’m pretty sure I heard that on a very special Oprah show or read it inside a Snapple cap.

Also, I’m going to keep doing CrossFit because I love the way it makes me feel. I just have to remember how old and out of shape I am while doing it and listen to the advice of the trainers there. When you used to be an athlete, it’s hard to not push yourself. I also want to stay active as a volunteer in our community and help others as much as I possibly can. I’m a true believer in Karma and believe the more you give, the more you’ll receive. Besides, giving feels so much better than receiving.

To everyone reading this, please have a safe, happy, and prosperous 2022. Stop by our beautiful office at 200 Main Street in downtown Sulphur Springs and say “hi” to me and my amazing staff. Just come early when there’s plenty of parking. LOL.

PS…. When you see me, ask me about that joke I couldn’t write a few paragraphs up…..

Dave Shabaz,

Editor & Publisher

dave@ssnewstelegram.com