another year.

My friend Rachel started out 2009 with the theme

"2009 is going to be fine"

or something like that

and ended the year with something like,

"2009 made me whine".

This is a sentiment that I've heard from a lot of people. It seems that 2009 was a difficult year for many. For us, we had the usual ups and downs, along with some usually good ups and some unusually bad downs, but the important thing is that we all survived to see another year, heck, another decade, and we are still putting one foot in front of the other.

Last week we lost a wonderful friend and neighbor. He was 37 years old and has a wonderful wife a two amazing boys,

ages 9 and 13.

With no warning he had an aortic aneurysm that ruptured.

We are so sad and shocked, but trying to take the lessons of this tragic event to heart.

Tell the people that you love how much they mean to you.

Speak a little kinder,

hug a little longer,

forgive a little quicker.

You never know when you won't have that chance anymore.

I'm not making resolutions for 2010.

I didn't keep any of the ones I made in 2009.

So there you go.