New Year

I wanted to say that 2009 was a year best forgotten. That there were so many things that caused conflict not only for my family personally, but the world at large. The economy tanked, unemployment soared, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq forced us to rethink our position in the world, climate change has become a huge issue, and rightly so, and we worry about our children making a place for themselves in a world that no longer seems as friendly as it did when we were their ages.

We spent the Christmas holiday in Arizona. Mostly at the bed side of my brother in law who was in hospice care. After some time of being ill, he found out he had Hepatitis C, probably for years, and didn't know it. He went through Chemo and was on the Liver Transplant list but things got so much worse that they took him off and sent him home.
Mark was a cowboy, a true cowboy. He was a construction foreman, had a ranch with horses, and he fell in love with my tall beautiful sister in law. Mark was a Viet Nam vet, raised two sons and was at the time in his life to start thinking about retirement. He died on Christmas Day just past noon. We will miss you Mark.

2009 also brought the break up of two friends. After 20 years, he decided he wanted more. It was such a shock and my dear girl friend Karen is struggling with the whys, the what did I do wrongs, and trying to start over at 55.

But 2009 did bring good things too. Weekends at the cabin with my husband, a dearly loved daughter graduating from college, a lovely visit from my sister from Canada who I don't get to see nearly as much as I would like to.
So there were some good things too.

2010 is starting out well so far. I have my lists of resolutions, none of which are so difficult I can't accomplish them. And the best so far is a new Grand Nephew who lives in Germany. I am making him a sock monkey so he knows that far away someone loves him very much.

I still have a job, Phil's company's work is picking up. My son leaves for London in a week or so. What an adventure!

But that is what it all is, one grand adventure. Some good, some bad, but exciting none the less.

Happy New Year to you all.