The beginning of any new year is a time of anticipation.

We all wonder what 2025 will bring us, our families and our loved ones.

Will there be new and better jobs? Good news about our health? Financial success?

Unfortunately, with a new year comes the risk of sadness and tragedy entering into our lives.

There will be house fires and vehicle crashes with fatalities, but most certainly, heroes will emerge from many of these unexpected and tragic events.

Just three hours into 2025 saw the horrendous terror attack on the New Year’s celebration in New Orleans.

Dozens were injured and 14 were killed when a man, possessed by evil, plowed down revelers walking along Bourbon Street.

Their plans for a happy new year came to an unexpected end at the hand of one vile man.

As this opinion piece is being written, the Lehigh Valley and beyond is experiencing the first snowstorm of 2025.

Whether it is just a coating to an inch or two, or even 10 feet, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, local municipalities and volunteer emergency responders are prepared.

On Jan. 6, the U.S. Congress convened during the Washington, D.C. snowstorm, the biggest in some five years or more, to unseal the 2024 electoral vote and certify Donald Trump as the next president.

The remains of Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, who died at age 100 on Dec. 29, 2024, will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda until his funeral 10 a.m. Jan. 9 in the Washington National Cathedral.

Many are awaiting – some happily, others with concern – Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration as this nation’s 47th president.

And, let us not forget the NFL’s Super Bowl LIX (59, for those who don’t know Roman numerals) Feb. 9 in Caesars Superdome, New Orleans.

A city that now says it is prepared, if tragically belated, with tight security that wasn’t in place for the New Year’s Day celebration.

Only time will tell.

There will be tears of joy for fans of the winning team and tears of sadness for fans of the team that doesn’t bring home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

There is much to look forward to during 2025.

Some of the happenings will be celebrated; others will be times to mourn.

Whatever life brings for you in 2025, may you have the faith and strength to continue forward.

Better times may just wait around the corner.

Deb Palmieri

editor

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press