Reflections on 2009

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six... is it the chants of revelers in Time Square watching the glowing crystal ball go down? No, it's the 2009 Ref on one knee, smacking the mat trying to keep me down for the count-a New Years Eve cold with all the joy a scratchy throat and snuffy nose can bring. But I won't give up, if I can just get one shoulder off the mat....too late, now it's me and Pretzel the foot warmer laying in bed watching the winter sun stream through open curtains. There is something good about laying around, I can reflect on how 2009 touched my family and friends. 2009 the year of dying, the last memories of Alice, Betty, Francis, Andy, Ed, Joan, Billy,and Melanie surface and the pain of loss is a little less-the memory of their lives a little sweeter. They have gone on to "sleep in heavenly peace", taking with them a little Parottlet named Seurat the sound of his sweet voice echoing "Bye, bye baby, bye bye."  This last year brought many of us to our knees with failing markets, and failing mortgages but we adjusted and learned that what was important was the love of family and reconnecting with old friends. For me it brought another lesson time is short, and I needed to finish the project I started long ago. I don't know what 2010 will bring, but I'm happy to share it with John and all of you. Bye, bye 2009, bye bye.   Happy New Year to you and yours.