In a few days, 2012 will be history and in a few months we won’t recall too much of it unless it has impacted us personally on some level.

For our family, it has been a sad year with the passing of our daughter, Robin. That unexpected event and the aftermath, which among other things has involved adopting two grand-dogs, has changed our lives dramatically and also theirs.

The fur babies haven’t forgotten her as we can say her name and they look toward the door, expecting her to return. Having two small dogs is much like having two little girls in the house. For two older people who aren’t used to having pets, it continues to be an experience.

Thanksgiving and Christmas haven’t been the same. So this year will forever have a very personal meaning to us. Others who have lost loved ones during the year will have the same memory of 2012.

Looking at my calendar for the past year, I note there are more doctor’s appointments and medical tests than a year ago. What’s with that? I suppose we have to expect them as we age and the medical problems arise, but looking back, there seems to be quite a lot of them. Looking forward, there still seems to be a lot of them! Have to keep a check on things!

This last year has certainly been an interesting one in the state and nationally as we see things changing all about us. Things we thought were set in stone are constantly being challenged.

When we look back over 2012 we remember two notable hurricanes, Isaac in south Louisiana and Sandy on the east coast, both causing considerable damage. Whoever heard of a hurricane going through New York City? Apparently nobody told Sandy she wasn’t supposed to go there.

Probably the biggest news of the year was the presidential election, when America re-elected President Barrack Obama following much debate about Obamacare. The nation is still on a cliffhanger considering the budget, as Republicans and Democrats can’t seem to agree on anything.

Then there are the stories of the crazies. A man set fire to his home and then shot and killed a responding police officer and a firefighter while injuring two other firefighters. And right here virtually at the close of the year, America weeps as a madman breaks into a school and kills all those little children and teachers. It is unthinkable! Their little faces continue to haunt us.

Every year in most people’s lives, we expect and experience births and deaths, marriages and divorces, times of joy and times of sadness. We’re going to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, holidays and vacations.

There are times when we are on our knees about a problem and other times when things go along smoothly month after month. There are times of serious illness and life threatening accidents, and times when health is taken for granted. Financial reverses come along or an unexpected treasure may be welcomed. A job may be lost or there’s an offer of a new job or advancement.

This is all normal life as we live it. Life never goes smoothly. Good times and bad times. We rejoice and we weep. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, the Bible tells us there is a time for everything. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens.”

Nonetheless, as each new year approaches, we are hopeful that the coming year will be better than the old one, even if the old one hasn’t been so bad. We all hope for good health and happiness and that all will be well with us, that the Good Lord will bless and everything will be all right.

As long as we are here, life will be uncertain, but I am one of those ever-optimistic people wishing for a better year in 2013 than in 2012. I also pray your year will be wonderfully blessed.

Happy New Year!

Retired Lifestyle Editor Bob Ann Breland, a resident of Pine, writes a weekly column and may be contacted at bobann_b@yahoo.com.