Beech Tree News Network

2013 has been an event-filled year. Some events were more important than others. The events below – arbitrarily ordered – were significant.

•    Many notable weather-related events occurred, such as the Colorado flooding and the Oklahoma tornado. Another was the lightning-caused Arizona wildfire that resulted in the destruction of homes and the death of 19 “hot shot” firefighters (firefighters specially trained in wildfire suppression tactics).

•    Some events were somewhat related to politics: The gun control effort failed in the Senate, the U.S. government shut down on October 1 for 16 days, and initially, the “Obama care” website had problems.

•    The U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) on June 26, creating a turning point for gay rights.

•    Edward Snowden left our country and leaked information he had gained by working for the National Security Agency, causing international awkwardness.

•    Three women and a child escaped a Cleveland home where the women had been held and abused for years. The abuser hung himself in a prison cell.

•    On April 15, the Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and wounded more than 200 others. One bomber was captured and the other killed.

•    Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed a son on June 22, Prince George of Cambridge.

•    And, each year we lose many who have contributed to our society. This year a few who died included: Tom Clancy (novelist), George Jones (country music singer), Nelson Mandela (former South African leader), Pauline Friedman Phillips (writer of "Dear Abby"), Margaret Thatcher (former British prime minister), and Eiji Toyoda (member of Toyota's founding family).

Many events in the world are outside of our control. But, we tend to hope for a brighter future. As Robin Williams said, “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world” (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/r/robinwilli383827.html#PMikFRP...).
So, in 2014, let’s choose our words carefully and make thoughtful choices.