Happy New Year!

As I sipped my coffee and watched the sun rise over the mountains, I remembered why I love the beginning of a new year. It's like opening a new, special notebook and flipping through all of the clean, white empty pages beckoning me to to start fresh. I know.....it's Thursday, just another day. And nothing has changed in our lives since midnight. We can't just toss away the baggage that we carry from last year. Still I love the fact that it is not only socially acceptable, but we are encouraged to resolve to make positive changes in our lives. Who can't use a positive change or two?

2008 was a tough year. We lost people who shaped our lives and psyche. We lost the unconditional love of a pet and less importantly, a sizeable chunk of savings. Yet, we found friends that stood beside us and shared the hurts. We found ways to put one foot in front of the other. And we found our traveling spirit. We discovered that life doesn't have to be predictable and neat. Sometimes life is incredibly messy and confusing and wonderful. Our choices and goals can be totally off base and still we are given a new day and a new year to try again.

So, to heck with all of the resolutions involving weight loss and saving money. Eating right and becoming organized are over rated. Today, my resolution is to find at least one piece of beauty in each and every day. Sounds simple and maybe that's what I need. Life doesn't have to be complicated, does it?

We are looking forward to our new year with thoughts of visiting new states, making new friends, rejoining old friends around campfires, hugging grandchildren and family celebrations. So much to look forward to and to fill the blank pages of 2009. We wish each and every one of you a lifetime of happiness and may 2009 be the beginning.