For the New Year, I wish you the blessing created in an old sampler, passed from the family of a friend to a friend to a friend, which is what blessings are all about.

This cross-stitched verse simply says: Peace and Plenty.

Nothing less, nothing more. That’s what is wished for each of you during the coming year.

That is not to say happiness, ecstasy, exuberance are not part of this equation. They are, but only in the transitory.

Our New Year’s wish is more everlasting, such as the scent of balsam fir once the Christmas tree has been removed, yet it remains.

Like the wrapped presents have been scattered once Christmas Day has passed, yet the photographs – and memories – remain.

Peace and Plenty. Not euphoria. Not extravagance. Just peace and plenty.

One Christmas card this year from a childhood friend Down South summed up the message of the old sampler without even knowing it:

“Except for the horrors of hurricanes and war, I’ve found 2005 a good year.”

Between the lines of her Christmas message, she too prayed for peace and plenty. She prayed for peace to end the deployment of military personnel to Iraq. She prayed for plenty in the ravaged areas of New Orleans and Mississippi.

Another personal greeting during the holiday season spoke to peace and plenty: “T’was in the moon of winter when all the birds had fled that God the Lord of all the earth sent angel choirs instead.”

This message was in the form of a knitted scarf, one that focused on the perceived stresses, hopes and dreams of the recipient; and prayed that “comfort and peace” would be felt in every row of the “prayer scarf.”

It obviously was knitted with affection, with care.

Since I only weave words – not thread or yarn – I would again wish each of you for the coming year peace and plenty.

Peace from anxiety, fear, loneliness, despair, hopelessness, pain.

I wish you plenty: Enough fuel, food, health care, support, respect … and hugs.