Ringing in the New Year Flat on My Back

Happy New Year everyone (not than anyone is really following this blog; to be honest, I haven't really invited anyone to join...yet). I have to say, I couldn't wait to make 2009 a faded, distant memory--my mother's death, my father's death, the economy, my own personal loss of focus, quitting my job...yeah, in my view, 2009 was quite the "bitch."

In fact, I couldn't wait for it to be over. And needless to say, the forces that be (God, Jesus, Mother Nature whatever you want to think of them as...) have a funny--albeit painful--way of making a mere mortal slow down and take a moment to reflect. And that's what I was forced to do as I was returning home to get ready to go out... I just happened to do it flat on my back as I skidded out on ice and found myseld doing a unintentional back flip which landed my head on the cold, hard cement curb.

Yup, I lied there for awhile, counting the stars and thinking that my Karma must really need to be cleansed. As I peeled myself off of the pavement and tried to remember how to skate across ice, I made it to my condo, collapsed on the couch and sat there for more than a moment and counted my blessings:

1) I didn't break my back.

2) The stars (finally) went away.

3) I'm alive--and healthy (wipe out not withstanding).

4) I have wonderful friends.

5) My family is finally starting to heal.

6) (I hate ending lists on odd numbers...so let me tack on another one here...ummm...my dog is awesome.)

I still went out that night (the pain wouldn't set in until today) and while I still think NYE is compleetly over-rated, I realized that I was out with good friends and family that helped me make it through one of the worst years of my life.

So this first post of the 2010 is dedicated to all the people that helped me survive 2009... hopefully when life lands them on their back I'll be there to help them up.

Happy New Year.