Here's to leaving 2009!

well, I think pretty much everyone I know is pretty happy 2009 is in the books.  I know of some who were married and had their first holiday season together, others who had a child in 2009, but even for all of them (and the rest of us, it appears) many are quite pleased to be heading out of this year.

For us, the loss of my mother-in-law Donna Applebee was a focused and intense blow for our entire family.  This holiday season has been rough on everyone as the cycle of "the first......" without her has been realized.
There have been a number of  financial problems, of one sort or another within our extended family as well, and the future holds hope that those will be tempered and hopefully resolved.  Little annoyances, like having a mysterious GFCI outlet problems in our kitchen, and then the hot water heater die on Christmas Eve are indicative of our year, and of many that we know. I think the loss of Donna has effected quite a number of things that we do and how we handle even the smallest of things.

All that said, we've had some truly wonderful events and experiences--our oldest daughter, Taylor, graduated high school in June, went off to college, and by all accounts (her overall demeanor being chief indicator, but including first semester GPA, success in becoming a Kappa Delta, etc, etc, etc)  she is doing very, very well.
Alex has tried out for and likely will be spending the summer marching with Kim's old corps, Spirit.  (well, for us it will always be Spirit of Atlanta), just got his first level black belt in taekwondo, made all county orchestra, and finally got his braces off!   Jessi is, as ever, our artist.  Lots of painting going on, project after project!  She made all-county chorus and was able to march in the high school band as an 8th grader this year--and loved it!  

Kim's dad, Chuck, is doing really pretty well overall, I think-revelling in all of his 8 grandkids this Christmas, and so on.  My dad, Albert, is doing quite well, too, as he continues to work through the onset of alzheimer's/dementia.  My mom, Sally, just had knee replacement surgery in November, and Dad has been the consummate nurse-maid for her.   Their friends Judy, Lou, Corny, Nancy and others have often been found helping/bringing/driving, etc., which has been great comfort for me, too.

So, overall, some losses--one very significant one, but many, many successes and great times.  We are blessed in many ways--

As you begin your new year of 2010, I hope you find hope, renewed energy and conviction to carry on with all that you do and love those you are with with renewed passion and vigor.

dwa