Happy New Year

Well, 2008 is finally here, and with it brings a flood of emotions and thoughts, and it's almost impossible to articulate them all. I don't celebrate Christmas, but I really like the holiday season. It's a bummer when it's over. I like seeing the Christmas lights glisten on a cold, winter, snowy day. I like watching Miracle on 34th Street, It's A Wonderful Life, and the Yule Log on Channel 11 each year. Right now on Channel 11, they are running their annual New Year's Day marathon of The Honeymooners. It reminds me so much of my Dad who would watch the marathon every year. We always talked about the "core-a-apple" episode. I already miss his laugh during all of the episodes, but fortunately, I can still hear it.

In a sense, it is a relief that 2007 is over. When you lose a parent, it is a life changing experience. You just aren't the same person before that person died, no matter how much you try and think you are. And things that meant so much to that person mean so much more to you now. And I think about Mom all the time. She told me that she is a survivor... and she sure is. She's one of the strongest people I know.

When the ball drops in Times Square and January 1 arrives, I sometimes think that it's going to be a long year, and it's going to feel like such a long time before the year gets rolling and the next December and holiday season comes around again. Whether it's a new calendar year, new school year, or new school semester, it always feels like starting over, and it's going to all take a long time. Despite that, everything always goes fast.

So let's see.. let's look back on 2007. In no particular order: I busted my right shoulder, I got a new, challenging job, I moved (and am now a renter instead of an owner), my sister got married, school continued, and I'm sure so much more that I can't think of at this late hour. And what is there to expect in 2008: More challenges in school, many more challenges and pressure at work, getting a new car for my wife since the lease will be up, and many more personal challenges that I will need to overcome to feel happier and be happier. Not that I'm not happy now.. I am happy. But I could be happier. I think everyone could be happier.

I hope that 2008 brings good health, happiness, and success to my family, and to yours. I hope our country and the world becomes a safer, more simpler place to live and be happy.