The Year That Was

If you've caught even a single 60 second montage of the year that was, you, like many, are likely prone to say good-bye and good riddance to 2008 and I couldn't agree more. This year had more than a fair share of natural disasters, acts of war, loss of trust in one elected official after another, discrimination on the rise and economic chaos the likes of which most have never experienced, but I am not afraid.

In hindsight, the "Yes, we can" mantra used to market our new President-elect had a prophetic purpose for I find myself emboldened and ready to not only make 2009 better but to use the 2008 downturn as a springboard to a so-much-brighter tomorrow.

OK, that sounded so like a campaign speech that I stopped short of saying "for us and our children" even if it's true. This summer my oldest graduated from college with over $20,000 in student loan debt (double if you count his parent loans). My daughter left school to work full-time and is learning just how livable minimum wage can be but despite $4/gallon gas prices and long job searches, they've taken away lessons that will serve them better in life than had 2008 been a bit more status quo. Let's face it! So have their parents.

As 2008 comes to an end, I've reworked the budget, updated my resume, found the fun in business travel, returned to home-cooking and am ready to put faith and hope into positive action for making 2009 the best it can be.

Happy New Year!

Snow Day

I love snow and am glad I never grew out of loving it. True, it’s impossible to get anywhere by car and is no fun to bike in, falling hurts more on aging bodies and the dirty, slushy, melting mess isn’t so attractive but nothing beats the appeal of a fresh snowfall.

Consider the simple beauty of big, fat flakes falling through the air, the intricacy of each unique design stuck to a glass windowpane, the palpable quiet as a snow blanket muffles all sound, and the little thrill at any age upon hearing school is cancelled.

Often, a heavy, fresh snowfall is (however temporary) a free pass out of work, school, persistantly postponed yard cleanup, or any obligation other than snowman making, snowball throwing, hot cocoa drinking and gingerbread eating. And although he gave himself an extra hour to get safely to work this morning, last night my grown son walked in with a friend, grabbed his snowboard and headed down the street to play in the snow with the neighborhood “kids”.

The last time neighborhood kids gathered on the street to play? The last time it snowed.

December 2008 Snow Day