Even at my age, I still dream and have goals to meet in the New Year | Opinion

Here we are — already in the second week of the New Year. Is it just me, or does the time really fly?

Anyway, I am happy to be able to chat with you once again, my friends. I am feeling incredible blessed to commune with you all once a week, sharing my life’s stories, my faith, my opinions about the happenings in the world, and simply just connecting with you. I believe doing this gives those of you who are of a different ethnic background, a better insight on what it is like being a person of color, more specifically, what it’s like being a Black woman living in a world that is mostly unfriendly to people who look like me.

Yet, over the years, I have made some enduring friendships — from all walks of life — through this column. This makes me happy and thankful. You have laughed with me when I shared the growing up antics of my two sons, James, a k a Ricky, and Shawn, and you cried with me when my beloved mom died, and years later, when my first son Ricky, died. These sharing-my-pain-and/or-sorrows are emotions that are color and ethnically blind.

You continued to laugh and cry with me as I wrote about my grandchildren, and now my sons’ grandchildren. I appreciate your feedback — even when you don’t agree with what I write. To me, this exchange of opinions is very healthy, and I don’t take it for granted.

Not to be morbid, but at 84 and 10 months old, I realize that I don’t have as much time here on Earth as I used to. That doesn’t make me sad. This realization of my mortality doesn’t make me sad. It makes me thankful. And while I don’t make New Year resolutions anymore, my desire is to live the rest of my life so that I am an example of the peace and good will that Jesus promised to each of us. I want to live up to being called “a friend of God”. In doing so, I also know that I am a friend of yours.

Looking back, I can remember many incidents during my lifetime that could have resulted in my death. So, I don’t question why God has spared my life. But for whatever reason, I am so thankful that He did. And I give Him all the glory for His grace and mercy.

Looking forward to the rest of this new year, there are many goals I would like to accomplish. Yes, even at my age, I still dream and have goals to meet. While I don’t — as I have said — call them New Year resolutions, these goals give me something to look forward to. They give me hope and a reason to get out of bed each morning.

Then, there are some things that I would like to see happen this year. Like finding a solution to the immigration problem. And ending homelessness and world hunger. And knowing that people everywhere have access to clean drinking water. And seeing people turn away from hating and bitterness and find ways to be more patient and compassionate to others. It isn’t such a tall order. And I know I am not the only one who yearns to find ways to a more peaceful world.

The way I see it, we only pass this way once. We need to make our time on Earth amount to something.

Let’s get started!

Bishop Walter H. Richardson has centennial birthday

Happy 100th birthday to Bishop Walter H. Richardson, who celebrated his centennial on Thursday (Jan. 5), at his Miami Gardens homes surrounded by his family.

Richardson, who has served as the pastor and overseer of The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness) since 1965, once thought he would not live to see his 70th birthday. That was because his two brothers never lived past 69. However, longevity was on his side: Richardson’s mother the late Sister Ollie Richardson, lived to be 99.

On Jan 1, the congregation dedicated the worship service to Richardson. Although he was not able to attend the service, it was a rousing tribute to a man of God who has led many souls to the Lord.

Richardson’s older son, the Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson, preached a fitting sermon on “God’s Promises”. He used verses 1 and 2, and verses 14, 15 and 16, of Psalm 91 as his text.

“Psalm 91 seems to be a very popular nowadays. But I chose the psalm especially because of the last verse that tells of God’s promise of long life to the faithful, “ the younger Richardson said.

“In verses 14, and 15, the psalmist speaks of a reciprocal kind of love and a reassuring kind of liberty, whereas verse 16 speaks of a rewarding kind of life. My dad has certainly lived out that promise of long life.”

A proud “Tar Heel”, Richardson was born in Ansonville, North Carolina, on Jan. 5, 1923. He came to Miami in 1945 at the invitation of his uncle the late Thomas J. Richardson, founder of The Church of God Tabernacle (True Holiness) and decided to make Miami his new home. Later, his then fiancée the late Poseline McLaughlin, joined him, and they were married at the church that he would lead for 57 years. Their two sons, Dr. Walter T. and Alfred J., followed him into the ministry.

Poseline Richardson died in 1996, and four years later, Richardson married the widow Enid Betty Forbes. They live in the Bunche Park area of Miami Gardens.

A tall, dark and still handsome man, Richardson is dedicated to the Lord and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He loves people and wants to see everyone living for the Lord.

A generous man, he thinks nothing of stepping up to help those in need. And his generosity has spilled over into the congregation, enabling the members to reach out to those who are in need, both spiritually and naturally. The beneficiaries of this generosity include people in the U.S. as well as in other places, including Africa and the Caribbeans.

“He has been, and still is a wonderful example of what it means to be a true Christian,” said Missionary Linda Swift, a church secretary.

Bea Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com