2008.  It’s amazing to me to realize that so much time has gone by during my time here, on the planet.  There have been wonderful and terrible things that I’ve gone through and I sincerely believe I would not change a single thing; I am who I am today, because of every event I’ve lived through — whether good or bad.  I like the woman I am today.  I am honest and trustworthy, a loyal friend, devoted partner, loving mother and dedicated employee.  For me, it doesn’t get much better than that — ever.

It’s 0655 in the morning and I’m heading out to a 0730 Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting that meets Monday thru Friday…and obviously, even on “holidays.”  I’ve never been a big New Year’s Eve fanatic and last night was no exception; I was sound asleep at 10pm and Dave woke me just to say, “Happy New Year, honey,” give me a kiss and I was back in la la land!

I’m really excited about this year; after reflecting on last year I was pleasantly surprised to realize that my year was one of the best for the past 10!!!  In the past ten years I have…stopped drinking and using prescription medications, had cancer twice, gone through a divorce, left a career after 17 years, went to school (but stopped short of my degree), found my voice (I’ll go into that one more, trust me), watched my kids turn into teenagers, fallen in love — one that was only the source of great sadness, found a man I want to love for the rest of my life, buried a best friend, experienced 3 men I was very fond of take their own lives and much more.  The thing is this; I made it! 

So today, the first day of this New Year, I embrace the changes that will come my way and welcome the challenges because I know for a fact that it’s through the difficult times that I grow and I’m relatively sure I have more growing to do!

Thanks for reading.

Be well.