Dorothy Brush "Random Thoughts" Published Dec. 29, 2004

Looking back at 2004; looking ahead to 2005

What are you doing New Year's Eve? We'll hear that song often in these last few days of 2004. My answer is always the same. I'll be watching until the ball falls in Times Square and then off to bed. This tradition began in 1907 but it isn't too far fetched to wonder if a former Tennessean didn't plant the seed for such a celebration.

Newspaper man Adolph S. Ochs had left Chattanooga to become the publisher of The New York Times and in the spring of 1904 the paper moved to new location called Long Acre Square. It was Ochs who convinced the mayor to change the name to Times Square. On New Year's Eve of 1904 a huge party was held on the roof of the paper's building. There were lots of fireworks which must have sparked imaginations. After that first gathering to welcome the new year it has been an annual event except for two years during the 1940s when because of the war year's restrictions on city lights the lowering of the ball was canceled.

For me it wouldn't be New Year's Eve if I missed that descent of the ball. I want no part of the boisterous crowds, but in the quiet of my living room I can think back over the year and wonder about what the new twelve months holds.

James Thurber, U.S. humorist and cartoonist, expressed that time when the old year leaves and the new year appears in these words. "Let us not look back in anger, not forward in fear, but around in awareness."

For one man it will be hard not to look back in anger. Just two years ago at Christmas 2002 he was named the winner of the richest undivided lottery jackpot in U.S. history. This West Virginia man was already a man of means and as he was interviewed he sounded so down to earth as he vowed the money would go to his church and family.

In just two short years he has been victimized and even arrested for drunken driving. Then earlier this month the apple of his eye, his 17-year-old granddaughter, died of an overdose. A close family friend said flatly, "The money is the root of it all."

How often we hear "Money is the root of all evil." But is it? In just the last week I have read three stories that send a different message. In Minneapolis a man dropped a donation in the Salvation Army's red kettle. Later it was discovered it was a check for $14,845! The man did not wish to be identified but he explained he did not need his Social Security payments so he deducted the amount of Social Security taxes he owed for the year and gave the rest to a place he thought would make better use of it than if he sent it back to the government.

Story number two came from a very small town in Iowa. A retired farm couple sent the town a Christmas gift of $25,000 to pay the town's electricity bills. In their mid 70s the couple said the Lord had been good to them as had the people of the community. They just wanted to do something in return.

From Denver came the third story of a generous human. He entered a homeless shelter in downtown Denver and started passing out hundred dollar bills to the 300 residents. He told them he had once been homeless and knew what it was to be in need. To a family with four children he asked if he gave them money would they use it to get a house. They answered yes and he counted out $5,000. After handing out $35,000 he left leaving no name.

Those are examples of people looking around with awareness. May 2005 be good to you and yours.

· · ·
Dorothy Copus Brush is a Fairfield Glade resident and Crossville Chronicle staffwriter whose column is published each Wednesday.