It was addressed specifically to me and arrived late on the 31st of December. Without hesitation and in great anticipation, I opened it. The first paragraph was a typical introduction - "hope you are well", etc - which I very casually scanned before jumping ahead to the second paragraph. And there it was.
My name, in bold italicized print, preceded the words "you have been awarded the following..." I stopped reading and jumped to the bottom of the page to see who had signed the letter, but there was no signature only the numbers 2 - 0 - 1 - 2.
I went back up to the place I had stopped reading and continued, "...opportunities, challenges, joys and disappointments, success and failure, lessons to be learned and taught..." The page continued, "All you have to do in order to claim your award is live each day to the fullest, make wise choices, and trust the spirit."
It was then I realized what the numbers at the bottom of the page meant. I was being given the year 2012. The maker of heaven and earth, the designer of human life, the original life giver was providing me with another year.
I pray that my service will be found commendable and that I might be eligible for another award next year.
