Happy New Year!

Was last year a good year for you or a bad year  – – – or a little bit of both?   For me, I had both good and bad news.  Bad news:  In May I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer.  Had to have surgery.   Three weeks later, on my birthday, I had a urinary tract infection that developed into sepsis.  Spent four days in the hospital in Newnan, GA  ( I live in Kennesaw, GA).    In October, I had a convention in Las Vegas and had to walk everyday from our hotel to the convention center – – – seemed like miles.  Started having chest pains.  When I got home, I went to a cardiologist.  He prescribed a stress test which I failed and then had to have a “nuclear” stress test.  I failed it too.  So I had to have a heart catheter.

Now – – –  the good news:  After surgery, my lab report showed zero cancer.  My sepsis stay in the hospital lasted four days, but it turned out to be treatable by medicine and I was sent home.  My heart catheter came out negative with minor blockage that was treatable with medicine.

For sure – – -this is a New Year – – –  and I am excited!

I am excited about this new association.  I am excited about my kids and grand kids.  All four of my kids and their “others,”  Tahnya and Karl, Tim and Sharissa, Mandi and Dayton, and Matt and Emily, are doing well.   My grandson, Connor, just graduated Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Texas with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and my granddaughter, Sara, 17 years old, just cut her first album with songs, all of which, she wrote.  My other grandchildren, David, William and Nathan are all doing well and I am very proud of them, also.   My daughter’s (Mandi) new fiance, Dayton has added a new four year old granddaughter, who is just too cute, Kaisley, to our family.   I am excited about our new pets  – – –  a beautiful cat and a little bitty dog – – – weighs about 2 1/2 pounds.  And I am excited about my wonderful wife who has worked side by side with me almost since we were married (27 years).  And  – – – we joined a new church  – – – which we love!    Yes, it is a New Year, and I am Happy!  God Is Good!  I’m excited about Him, too!

Bill Greer

Executive Director,  Sacred Music Composers Association