Running barefooted in a new- plowed field, hauling hay to the barn loft, picking cotton on a hot day, listening to the voices of friends and loved ones encouraging and serving as mentors, these behaviors are part of the growing life that I have enjoyed. Rushing across the screen of life is school, teachers, sports, special friends, events, and circumstances I hoped would never end. Wish as I may the road of life changes and gradually merges into another lane. In those early years, the Vietnam war rumbled, hippies rocked, Woodstock was a dairy farm and June and Gary were getting married. Off to Kalamazoo, Michigan—- is that really a town or a figment of my imagination? The Beatles came and went.  This culture faded like tie-dyed T- shirts but the Cokers were starting a new life.

The road signs for us changed from Kalamazoo, Chicago, Nashville, Demorest, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Sewanee, Tennessee . The billboards along the way consisted of three sons , three daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren.

Reflection has become one of my favorite and enjoyable pastimes.  As I celebrate another birthday the social media of Facebook and other technological advances make contact with friends easier  bringing to the forefront memories and an array of reflections. It is this process that produces mental gymnastics returning me to those earlier days, if only vicariously.  It is this type of experience for which I am extremely grateful and find myself guilty of riding down the road of life looking in the rear view mirror.  I wish I could have a giant ‘party’ with all the people who have crossed my path.  Suffice it to say,  I certainly have enough memories to last a life time.

As I look to the new year I do so with optimism and a sense of expectation.  I hope you will join with me as we travel the road of life, if only technologically. I will enjoy the ride and perchance if someway we could walk together that would be special.  I wish for you God’s richest blessings.

Gary