Welcome 2008

I'm so excited to begin a new year. 2007 was a good one for me and the family. OAO and I pleasantly reflected that he had no major or minor back issues for the first time in many, many years. Guess his back surgery of 2006 was a success! And neither of the children experienced out-of-ordinary illnesses or medical needs this year (as compared to 2005... that was a year of challenges for sure!)

2008 will be full of positives for me - it's a nice, even number and a leap year. So, I think it will be unusually pleasant and peaceful. I don't usually do resolutions. but this year, I have one:

To find gratitude and joy for every experience - no matter how challenging.

I'm getting my tonsils out in two weeks. I'm scared, yet at the same time, I know that good things will come from it and I will be grateful to have had the procedure. More than just an estimated 10-15 pound weight loss because I won't be able to eat much for the first two weeks after recovery. More than a significant amount of sleep. I don't know what all the positives will be - I'm just focused on healing and gratitude.

Here's a start of finding gratitude for everything - a list of 5 things I'm thankful for today:

1) Having 2 back-to-back 4-day weekends with my OAO thanks to where Christmas and New Year's fell in 2007
2) An extra week to prepare for my tonsillectomy.
3) Hearing my son giggle as we play catch with his stuffed animals. What a great sound.
4) Snuggle time with my kids when we went to see the Water Horse today.
5) Arriving at a new year with a focus and attention different than ever before - and realizing that all that I am and experience is self-created: to create love and gratitude, I must be love and gratitude.

Happy New Year to you all!