Hope?

[GerardoG]

It is finally December. Finally 30th...and in some places, 31st. Finally, the year is about to end....what a ride.

One year ago, I sat here, alone, and wrote to you about '15, wishing and hoping for '16. Who thought what '16 would have up the sleeve.

On our side, things started as every year, with ups and downs, closing some cycles and starting new and exciting ones; but sometime life throws you unexpected curve balls which catch us off guard and force us to re-arrange and re-engage...only to find life changing its pitch at us...again...and again...and again. By the time December arrives at our doorstep, we look back at a very unusual year, with many different pitches from life and, incredibly, with big questions in our hearts and minds.

After far too many visits to the funeral home (nine this year) and an amazing array of sad, unexpected situations, I make a stop, not with wine in my hand, but with tequila. Trust me, I need something strong.

During this time, despair was a common feeling that came along with hundreds -or maybe thousands- of unanswered questions; most of which will remain unanswered forever; but what I found most harmful was loosing hope. When we fall once, we stand up learning from mistakes; but when life makes you fall many consecutive times, our courage is questioned and we have to look deep inside to find a glimpse of hope that, even when life has said NO, will give us a brief breath of fresh air and make us move forward.

I must confess that during '16, I found that breath here, at TRF. Even when doors closed, and a new curveball was pitched by life, true and honest words from people I do not know (and fortunately a lot of who now I know) were there to comfort and share that precious feeling: hope. To all of you THANK YOU for being there.

2016 did bring laughs and good times, we had an amazing GTG (which now is a yearly event!!!) in Vegas, as well as smaller GTG's in different cities, I have to say GRACIAS to everyone who trusted me during these gatherings; I will do my best to have more and better GTG's during 2017; if your time allows, please join us.

To mods and giveaway sponsors; THANK YOU for the laughs and small fights, the vast array of comments and points of view, as well as those unexpected giveaways, make TRF a unique place...my virtual family.

TRFers: I raise a glass and toast. 2016 is almost over; here it is to an amazing 2017.

[SemperFi]

Happy New Year Gerardo and THANK YOU for contributing to this forum in good times and bad, and helping to make this forum, our virtual family, the best it can be.

[Carrera911]

Cheers for a very deep blessing!

Wish you and all TRF members a happy new year.

[swils8610]

Happy New Years G. I sincerely hope that 2017 is a better year than 2016 was for you and your family. Much health, wealth and happiness to you and your family in 2017. I always look forward to spending time daily with my TRF family! Cheers!


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[cop414]

Gerardo, here's to you and your family to a prosperous, happy and healthy 2017!

[amg55]

My crystal ball tells me that 2017 will be a great year for all ��

[Abdullah71601]

Have a happy and prosperous 2017 Gerardo. May God make things easy for you.

[Watch This]

Happy New Year !

[sickened1]

Happy New Year G.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Cheers G to 2017

[returntorolex]

All our best to you and yours G. Happy New Year!!

[Alexwwjd]

Gerardo, thank you for everything you've done for TRF this year and always. I admire the way you do things, the passion you have and spread to everyone around. A thousand GRACIAS. See you soon my friend. here it is to a wonderful 2017


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[breitlings]

Cheers! Agree it was a rough year for me personally as well as was 15.

[aczaja10]

Great post Gerardo. I feel the same way. TRF offers something positive at the beginning and end of each day for me. Let's make 2017 great! Thank you all for being so positive and encouraging. Thank you all a million times.

[-lenny-]

G, I must agree that I am looking forward to the passing of 2016. The last couple years have been a challenge, but we are about to rise above. All the best to you and yours, I feel 2017 is going to be amazing.

[G8RDPM]

Cheers,G!
You,sir, help make this forum great! The way you share with your virtual family is unique.

Wishing you and yours a very happy,healthy and prosperous New Year!

[GradyPhilpott]

Here's to another year of GerardoG posts that focus on the finer things in life and treat us all to the warmth and luxury of the quieter moments.

[77T]

Happy New Year and here's hoping you have a much better 2017 + I can lose the 20 lbs. I gained in 2016 while eyeballing your cuisine posts!

[GB-man]

and may 2017 be a year filled with love health and wealth for you and your family.

I sincerely look forward to seeing what you'll throw on the Weber in 2017 and look forward to sharing what I throw on mine, Rolex on beer in hand, even though we live thousands of miles apart

[teqp]

Here's to a happy and successful 2017 to you Gerardo. I look forward to enjoying your posts in 2017. Thanks for sharing with your TRF family.

[Andad]

Best wishes for a prosperous and happy new year Gerardo.

And to all.

Eddie.

[520Matt]

Cheers Gerardo. I hope to see you again in 2017

[Cru Jones]

May 2017 outshine 2016!

(It can't be that hard, can it?)

[swatty]

Here's to a happy and healthy 2017 to you Gerardo and all TRF members

[mailman]

Happy New Year Gerardo. Thanks for your contributions to TRF

[zama]

17 will be a better year than 16 period........

on TRF I see lots of great posts......
Inevitably tell me the difference between Rolex and Tudor threads........
Not to mention a few would you buy a Tudor when there is Rolex
Does my watch look big in this thread etc etc etc

Overall lets hope for help and life enrichment to all........ I will try not to spend a month banned this year but no guarantees!

[Porter]

Feliz año nuevo Gerardo y mis mejores deseos para los tuyos!! Life always says YES! The only problem is that sometimes we are not strong enough to believe it!
Thanks for your words and your threads! Hope I can meet you at Vegas and share great times in the future!!
Happy new year to the TRF family!

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana". Groucho Marx.

[Lucky777]

Very nicely written Gerardo, and I wish you a very happy and healthy 2017 along with my other TRFers


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[RW16610]

Thanks, and I'm also wishing you, your family, and all of us here at TRF nothing but the best for 2017. Here's to sharing these moments with good friends in good health

[OmegaJJH]

A great and thoughtful post Gerardo.

Here's looking forward to a fantastic 2017.

Happy New Year buddy from the UK