2009

Personally, 2009 has been the best year ever. Not perfect but as close as it gets. Our son worked hard enough to secure a position immediately upon college graduation over 200 hundred miles away leaving us and his fiance behind.

The early months were tough as he came back to us every weekend. There was a wedding to plan. The wear and tear on him and his car were of great concern. Miraculously, he was laid off in April. Which was not good, but he would come home, attend grad school and become a husband to a woman we loved. Everyone was a bit relieved. Of course, he had caught wind of his impending lay-off and sent out resumes.

A month after he returned from Atlanta, when his place in grad school was secured, his future bride had signed a contract to teach kindergarten and a lease was signed for another year in Raleigh, he was offered a better job in Greensboro 70 miles away. Needless to say, he took it and has a much shorter commute this time but still grueling.

In the meantime he married Autumn in the most beautiful wedding ever and our dream is that a year from now she will have a position close to his work, they will buy a home, which logistically be located between ours and her parent's homes.

Plus, they managed to give us Tasha, an eight year old, Lhasa Apso, with one eye, crooked teeth and, without a doubt, the most wonderful dog ever. As you know I don't like dogs, certainly tried to understand why everyone I knew adored them but could never quite figure it out. Secretly, I dreaded Tasha when told of her adoption. An animal in my house? I've known her since May and her image is on all my screen savers, I go to Pet Smart, I shop for her clothes. She is with us about a week a month on various days, if she is here I don't leave the house unless she goes with me, I am head over heels in love. Go figure?

In addition, we have a daughter, a college Sr., pulls off 4.0's, works for the EPA, in honors' fraternities and is courted by pharmaceutical companies. She is still our baby and we enjoy every minute together.

Plus, my brother, at almost 50, married for the first time to a fabulous woman who gave us a very special nephew. My mother is healthy and happy and so much a part of everything mentioned above.


Can't say this in a Christmas letter or it would be bragging. Or so I think. I have no exotic vacations to tell you about, no major improvements to our home, except decluttering and paint, no boats or fancy cars or even a cell phone that more than make calls. Fact is we live in 2009 and times are tough.

Always my family's Polly Anna. My wish is that you all get to experience my 2009.