Chuck Williams: Another great year in the books

Years come, and years go.

Now that I have hit the speed limit -- that is 55 for those of you who were wondering -- years are measured in a different way.

You get through one still standing, it's a good year. I am blessed to have a great family, a good job that I enjoy and a home in a place where wonders abound.

Not a bad life at all.

As the reality of 2015 gives way to the promise and hope of 2016, I have taken inventory of the things I hold dear. It's funny how you start doing that when the years start to come and go with increasing speed.

First, I am fortunate that my parents are still with us. I look at many of my friends and they can't say that. And it is something I probably take for granted way more than I should. My mother is struggling at times, but she is still strong of will and heart. My stepmother has survived a cancer scare this year, and we are all thankful for her recovery. My dad, hell, he's going to outlive all of us. The only thing that could take him out is if Hillary is elected president. I am not sure he could handle that.

All four of the kids are doing well. That is, perhaps, the best of blessings. The one thing I have noticed is that the pride you feel and hope you hold for your children only grow with the years.

They are scattered from Detroit to Atlanta to Columbus. They all are on their own paths, finding their own way. It is so much fun to watch. You always worry about them, but that comes with this new territory, it seems.

My wife and I have made it through 12 years of marriage. Each day in the journey is an adventure -- a wonderful adventure. We are now talking about retirement and what that will look like.

Retirement is just a few more stops down the line. Retirement? Where the hell did that come from? The beauty of it is I get to spend it with my best friend. That is a good deal.

Until that time comes, I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to learn new things about this community every day.

And I probably have never enjoyed it more than I did this year.

I had no idea when 2015 started that I would be going to Ranger School. What covering the first women to participate in Ranger School did for me was open up a world I knew existed but knew little about.

I didn't know the difference between the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade and the 75th Ranger Regiment. I now not only know the difference, but also I know a lot about how they train and what they do. Along the way, I met a lot of really good people.

We all talk of sacrifice, courage and patriotism. This year I have seen it modeled by Americans who define the very meaning of the words.

It has been a great year.

But I am ready to turn the calendar and see what the next one holds.

Here's hoping for a great 2016 for you and yours. You're all welcome in my world.

Chuck Williams, senior reporter, chwilliams@ledger-enquirer.com

This story was originally published December 28, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Chuck Williams: Another great year in the books ."