2016 Was A Great Year
Looking back at 2016 so many great things come to mind. There are so many things to celebrate in 2016 when I stop
to think about it.
Let’s pause for a moment and grab a Starbucks Tuxedo New
Year’s Latte and celebrate 2016 together begwen blog style:
* The Cubs won the World Series! This happened for the first
time in 100 years!
* Global carbon emissions from
burning fossil fuels did not grow in 2016. We are making progress in our
environmental stewardship!
* The American Ballet Theater continues to be an example for
America as Misty Copeland continues to shine as a Principal Dancer. She is the
first African American to be given that rank in a major ballet company.
The
impact of Misty’s role will continue to transform the sport and art of ballet
to include artists and athletes of all races.
* I get so caught up in the negative effects of climate
change but there have been some great strides this past year including the
Humpback Whale being taken off the endangered species list. After writing a
blog about the death of a juvenile humpback during the summer this is great
news! Also, manatees are so precious; it is awesome to share that
the global manatee population is no longer endangered.
* The Olympics were amazing! Simone Biles’ performances were
truly beyond words. She blew the competition away and her athleticism and skill
was stunning. In the pool, it was great that Michael Phelps pulled it off yet again.
Also, Simone Manuel was the first African American swimmer to win a gold medal
(100m freestyle), whoot!
* The battle against malaria is still raging. More and more people in Africa are
sleeping under mosquito nets. Way to go Gates Foundation for the progress on
this! I found out this year at the Gates Foundation Visitor Center that the mosquito is the world’s deadliest animal –
so “bug off” mosquitos in 2017. It is hard to believe that such a small animal is so deadly. Grateful for progress!
* There were a few new ice cream flavors to make us happy in
2016. The “Cookie Two Step” by Blue Bell, which has cookie dough (in spite of
warnings from the FDA about uncooked dough) and the “Empower Mint” by Ben and
Jerry’s for those mint lovers out there.
* On a personal note in the begwen family: We improved in our remote control
drone flying skills, we laughed, we saw some memorable shows, we celebrated a
great wedding anniversary, we cheered each other on, grew, prayed, learned a
few things, worshipped, hiked, skied, tried to stay healthy, and played. 
Looking forward, I can’t wait for the many celebrations and victories of
2017. Let's be "impatient optimists" (Bill Gates Foundation) as we see 2017 unfold. There are great possibilities this coming year for our personal lives, country and world.
So Happy New Year to you! Thanks for sharing this Starbucks Tuxedo New Years Latte with me as we ring in all that awaits us in 2017!!!
May 2017 be better, beautifier, braver, and brighter than you can dream. May your life in 2017 truly be blessed!
