You can learn a lot about someone by looking at their workbench. You can see a person’s projects, what they think is important, and what is not. You will see what a person likes doing and what they don’t like doing. What tools are right at hand, or the tools that only get used once in a while.

The new year is on us. Ben Franklin said, “May the new year find you to be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better person.”

I would like to take a moment to say thank you for the work, friendship, and dare I say love that you have given me. I hope I have been of service to the community. At the beginning of a new year comes an opportunity to look ahead to see which way you can go. I am writing this to let you know that I am retiring.

I can’t begin to tell what this place and you people have meant to me. Keep up the good work. You are on the right track, just keep moving.

When thinking about the new year, people reflect on ideas like fresh starts, new beginnings, setting goals, reflecting on the past year. Essentially, it’s a time to look forward with hope and a clean slate. Albert Einstein said, “Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow.” C.S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”

As for me, I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.

“Maintenance, maintenance, all life is maintenance.” I think that was the Buddha.

Remove “should” from your vocabulary this year. It will do you no good. I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you, that every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.

I am sure that I will be around to help Jason on some project or another. The new year is here and it is the time to do many things. Right now, we are doing filters (air mostly) and cleaning off the red berries from the trees on 12th Ave that are now on the ground. We don’t want anyone to slip.

Remember for more than 150 years, First Unitarian has been a voice of reason, so don’t stop now. The world and our city need to hear that voice. Free thinkers everywhere grow stronger when they hear the call.

So hail and farewell, my friends. Keep your eyes on the prize and be kind to each other.

~ Michael Two Feathers   (Sexton from 2009-2025)