Peace and Success
By Robert Denson III

The year 2004 is officially in the history books.  It proved to be a year of social awakening.  Americans are slowly beginning to realize the power of the “Butterfly Effect”, and I don’t mean the movie starring Ashton Kutcher.  This country’s splashes on distant shores have turned the ripples in to waves that have returned to our landscape the size of tsunamis.  No matter what your political opinion might be, we should all realize we have a lot of work to do to make this country mighty again rather than one that is divided.

As I sat and reminisced about the passing year, so many things came to mind.  Not one was more profound that a lesson I learned from my 3-year-old son on Christmas day.

As we sat in the floor and he enjoyed ripping paper away from his toys, he turned to me and asked, “Daddy, what do you want for Christmas?”  Stunned by his question, I looked deep into his eyes wondering what prompted him to ask such a question.  Isn’t Christmas about kids and putting smiles on their faces?  It is the parents’ responsibility to supply that smile; it’s not about adults anymore—is it?

As I debated these questions in my head, he looked at me with such confusion and then asked me again, “Daddy, what do you want for Christmas?”

In thinking about the world turbulence and realizing the escalation of terrorism, the resurgence of nuclear weapons as bargaining chips and our country’s establishment in the heart of the Middle East , I asked for what any politically minded adult would request.  I replied to his question, “I would like peace on earth.”

Un-phased by my gift request, his eyes twinkled as they gazed up at me.  Suddenly, he stood up, stuck his hand into his pocket and removed his closed fist from his pocket.  He extended this fist towards me, expecting me to receive what he had to offer.  I placed my opened palm under his closed fist.  He opened his tiny hand and dropped the enclosed contents into mine.  He smiled at me and said, “Merry Christmas Daddy.  There’s your peace on earth.”  Then he ran off to grab another toy.

Floored by this gesture, I stood, flabbergasted by the revelation.  At that very moment, I had peace within my heart stronger than I’d ever felt in my life.  He had given me such a wonderful gift without having any clue of what I’d ask for and that he’d given to me exactly what I wanted.  Though its existence was brief, it warmed my soul.

2004, for me, was a year of clichés.

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”

It was the year that Sunpiper was born.  It was also the year that I lost my father.

“give them an inch and they will take a mile”

I’m a member of the legal profession…need I say anymore?”

“stand up and salute the red, white, and blue”

I believe a record amount of people did just that on November 4, 2004 .  Our country experienced the largest voter turnout in history.

Finally, through the tutelage of a three year old, I learned that “Peace is not an action, but a state of mind.”  Through this revelation, I realized that success is measured with the same gauge.  Utilizing this philosophy, I was a failure in 2004, nevertheless, I refuse to fail in 2005.

Success is eminent for Sunpiper in 2005.  I thank you all for being a part of it thus far and I hope to have you along when Sunpiper is on top of the literary world.  Thank you so much for all of your support.  2005 is our year!