Happy and healthy New Year to you and yours. We hope that your 2011 blesses you with many friends, family, and wonderful experiences.
It is hard not to reflect on the last year as the new year dawns. Mostly, the thoughts consuming me are about life and death in 2010. First, we brought our beautiful baby boy, Griffin into this world in April. We have been blessed with a happy and healthy child. The last 8 months have been a wonderful as we experienced all that a new baby brings into a family. Second, we lost my Dad on the 23rd of December. As most of you know, he was battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer for the last year on top of his not having any kidneys and other medical problems. My Dad was a miracle for many reasons, aside from his medical issues. He defied the odds again and again, but this cancer was just too much for him to take. He passed away at the hospital, with my mom, brother, and I in the room. He is at peace and in no more pain, and for this I am grateful. I firmly believe that he is at home in heaven and is having the time of his life catching up with those we have lost before. While it is hard to be here on earth without him, I know we will see each other again in another life.
2010 showed me in many ways to not take things for granted. Whether it is a normal and to term pregnancy, the loud and messy ways of a preschooler, fragile relationships with family and friends, a home and a reliable job....nothing is guaranteed. Each day is a wonderful blessing for us to make things better for ourselves and the others in our lives, and even a complete stranger. It is easy to forget sometimes how truly blessed we are. While there will always be "more" and "things" that we desire, what is really worth living for are the things that require the most effort like relationships and people. I have many things I hope to achieve and accomplish in 2011, but my number one resolution for the new year is to stay humble and grateful for all of the blessings already in my life.
Again, a happy and healthy new year to all of you!
