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Thanks to Gareth Thomas for the photograph
The recently posted review of the year gives the bare bones of our statistics, but here I want to put some flesh on those bones.
New Years’ Eve is an appropriate moment to thank those who write and read this blog. This has been a hectic year for AATW. The departure of Jessica coincided with the need to take the blog private for a while, and there was more than one moment during that period when it was unclear whether we would continue. We did. I am grateful to all those who signed up when we went private, as well as to my fellow contributors here, not least Geoffrey, Neo and Dave Smith, but all played their part, and we ought to note that quiavideruntoculi holds the record for the most popular post. This is an unusual place as it encompasses the widest possible range of Christian beliefs, and we have had posts from an Orthodox point of view from orthodoxgirl99 (from whom we’d welcome more), and, at the other end, from Bosco with his, shall we say, unique ‘take’. Rob and Geoffrey provide, as has Nicholas (who is much missed), a broadly Evangelical perspective, with Neo offering a Lutheran one, whilst myself, Dave and quiavideruntoculi offer a Catholic one, even if mine tends to be a little Anglican tinged for some.
We have missed some old friends, and if they are reading, thank you, and you are always welcome back. On which theme, of old friends we do not forget, it was a particular delight to welcome back Struans who brought with him news of his reception into the Roman Catholic Church – deo gratias.
One of the features of this place has been the comments columns, and we have a new record on one post of nearly 650! This is a good place then to thank those who do contribute so much there: the ‘original’ (here from the start) David Monier-Williams, Jock MacSporran, another early commentator now back and most welcome (if he and I ever agree, one of us is going to be surprised – and we’re both likely to be wrong), Steve Brown, Phillip Augustine, Grandpa Zeke and the (thankfully) irrepressible Ginny – all of whom contribute so much to the ethos of this place. I would also like to thank two great supporters who boost us on Twitter and have been friends of this place from the start – Gareth Thomas (whose contributions were much appreciated) and the mysterious #savedpusson, BruvverEccles. All of you have made a unique contribution, and, as the person who suddenly found himself in charge of this ship, I have had occasion to be thankful for all your contributions.
Which brings me, last, but certainly not least, to the ‘onlie begetter’ of this place, Jessica Hof. This time last year we were not sure she would still be here this year. There was not a time when it seemed likely that she would be back blogging. Neo, who has been her great support, suggested (following a suggestion from Steve Brown) that we ran a series of her old posts, rightly noting to me that there was much good there that newer readers might have missed, and older ones would welcome – thus was born Saturday Jess. It was with some amazement that this was shortly followed by Jessica’s first post in over a year – since when she has, in her own unique way, returned to us. Her recent posts on the nature of hell have shown that her instinct for thought-provoking posts is fully intact, and the tone she brings is one that none of the rest of us can quite manage; I wish I could catch it!
So, we have finished 2015 in a quite different place than we started. I remain conscious that those who helped cause us to go private still lurk – well, the bad news is twofold, we are still here, and I forgive you. We are still here because, according to our very different traditions, we bear witness to the hope that is in us – that is the hope of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As this is something I rarely allow myself, a self-indulgent post, I should like to thank all of you, old and new readers, old and new contributors, regulars and occasionals, and to wish you all a Happy New Year – and look forward to your company in 2016.
Very kind of you, C. But in reality the main thanks go to you. I know you are a very busy fellow, so it is much appreciated that you took this on and have kept the ship steady – not least with such a rumbunctious crew. Happy New Year to you and yours.
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That is much appreciated Geoffrey – I am very fortunate in my ‘crew’ 🙂
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C, I can only agree with Geoffrey here. I rather dropped this on you, and not once have you complained – it is much appreciated, and I hope to be of more use in the new year – all the best to you and R xx 🙂
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Like him, you are too kind. All the best to you for 2016. 🙂 x
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An excellent summing up of the year! 🙂
A couple of caveats, though.
I certainly have done my best to support Jessica, but I probably don’t deserve all that much credit for it, I simply couldn’t bear to let her pass (if I could help it) from my life, and Thank God, she hasn’t.
And secondly and much more importantly, “Saturday Jess” is not my creation, it is based on the recap that Jess herself often provided when her life and job became so intrusive that she (I think with her normal overscrupulousness) found herself unable to contribute as much as she thought she should be. I have merely tried to live up to the example that she set here, as she did with the blog in general. It has been and is, my pleasure to do, and highlights how timeless many of her thought were, even in the very early days of the blog.
And in my own personal note, I want to thank her here, on her blog, for again having covered for me on ours, while I was away with a wondrous set of posts, on top of all she has done here.
And thank you all, I strongly agree with all Chalcedon has said here!
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Very kind of you Neo. It has been quite a roller-coaster – and let us hope for a calmer 2016 🙂
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Indeed, smooth seas and a fair wind would be most welcome! 🙂
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Not to mention a nice change 🙂
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Now there is a succinct sentence, no volume! 🙂
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Indeed C, I am most pleased that you kept this place going and that preserved its character. So when Jess stepped back in, it was almost like she never left. A quite remarkable feat I think.
Happy New Year to you and to all here at AATW.
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To you too, Dave. It was good to have her back, and I am duly thankful to you and others without whom there would have been no point in continuing.
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My dad was carreer Navy . . . I was taught not to abandon ship. 🙂
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Something like “Fight her till she sinks”. Words to live by, my friend! 🙂
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Indeed so, a proud tradition my friend. Happy New Year to you. 🙂
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Indeed, and very appropriate for a joint British – American project like this. After all, we learned much from fighting the best, in those days, the Royal Navy.
Happy New Year to you and yours as well. 🙂
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I’m grateful to him then, too 🙂
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Thank you, as am I . . . he is sorely missed. 🙂
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Keep up the good work, folk.
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Many thanks, Bruvver – your continued support is much appreciated 🙂 Happy New Year.
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Thanks for the mentions. It was a pleasant surprise when Jess wanted my photo of the San Giuliano hermit church as the blog banner, and this followed a few days after the CP&S blog restored my original 2010 banner photo of the Crucifix in the snow. I’m still not sure whether Catholicism Pure realise it’s a photo I took in an Anglican monastic cemetery. (Sssshhh… keep it quiet!)
Great to see Jess back in action and I hope to see you go from strength to strength in 2016. I tend to be much more involved in donkey welfare matters on the internet these days and only comment on religious matters very occasionally, but I still look in regularly to see the latest at AATW and I’ll contribute something when I feel inspired again. Grandpa Zeke said he was keen to read my account of my trial period in a Carthusian hermitage and I might oblige one day. Happy new year from me and the donkeys.
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And to you, too Gareth – and the donkeys. I am sure you are far better occupied in many senses there. We try to preserve this place as an oasis of civilized discussion – although there is one exception!
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Thanks C for keeping us all going here and to Jess now returned.
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My thanks to you, too Rob, and I wish you and yours a very happy 2016.
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2015 perhaps started with a somewhat elephantine deep barely audible rumble but with the longed for return of Jessica has ended with the kind of explosion that we were once used to.
Hallelujah!
Happy New Year!
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Very true David. I wish you all the best for 2016. (Or as Bosco seems to see it, 1016).
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I’m thankful to have found you guys.
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We are glad to have you with us 🙂 Happy 2016.
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Happy New Year to all! AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM
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And to you and yours too Steve.
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I am so thankful that this virtual family of a blog continues. Thank you to all.
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And I am glad you are back with us – and would say what Jessica has, that you are most welcome to write here any time you care to.
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