Hey Collective Barner Crew --- thanks for the positive responses and comments. I was not trying to be up on my stump and preach - though I get a bit reflective at times.
I'm like all of you (and humans in general), sometimes I get a bit cross-threaded and need to stand back and take full measure of myself . . . and there are many times where I'm underwhelmed by how I've handled things, what I said, even more so what I SHOULD have said, etc..
We're all works in progress - I pray to the Good Lord to help me keep making positive steps forward - knowing all the while that some days I'm sliding backwards.
Merry Christmas to you ALL and everybody you care about!