The holidays are past and now it's time to embark on a brand new year. A year filled with who-knows-what, but a year nonetheless that one would think would have to be better than its predecessor, right?
So, maybe it's time to reflect on some highlights of 2009:
1. This year, we lost the last of my Dad's generation of Guzewicz's, good old Uncle Ed. He got to heaven to wish my Dad his 5 year anniversary there, and we all imagine that the reunion of that spectacular family was pretty awesome within St. Peter's walls. Can't wait to see them again someday.
2. I attended my second Guzewicz Thanksgiving in Rhode Island / CT. Loved seeing my cousins and their families - I hope we keep that tradition going. I love being around people who miss and love my Dad as much as me, and they will be an important part of helping to convey to my children who my Dad was. The good news is, both kids possess so much of my Dad inside them, it won't be hard to tell them what Dad was like.
3. We inaugurated our first African-American President. Awesome.
4. I attended a scrapbooking weekend in Blanco with great friends, and began what I hope is a yearly tradition. I like being away for the weekend and getting to nap, relax, scrapbook, cook, laugh, etc. And guess what? We didn't even turn the TV on. Unheard of!
5. Debbie T. - this one is for you: My beautiful son was diagnosed this spring with PDD-NOS, which is a mild autism spectrum disorder. It was a long journey of people putting this kid under the microscope and coming out the other side saying that yes, he qualifies for extra support. To this ex-teacher, those words are golden. God has seen it fit to put me here in Humble, Texas, where I have a phenomenal school district who has supported him all year with a beautiful teacher and a curriculum designed just for kids like him, and a world-class medical center where the best neuro-developmental pediatrician I could find did his assessment. And the short story is, most people either don't know or would be very surprised by that dx, because is so seemingly "normal", but this year of support has been tremendous in terms of helping him with his social delays. I had VERY supportive friends along the way who let me cry and worry and laugh and be relieved - and never judged or made light of it. And, guess what? I think that little boy is perfect. Just perfect.
(All right Debbie - I have officially "come out". :))
6. This year, I have learned more about being a leader, about being humble, about reading a chapter or two from books that I myself have written, and about just how precious those around me really are. Who could ask for anything more?
7. My gorgeous little blond girl has allowed me to watch my son learn social skills every day in the house, and has provided me and her Dad one more angel to make us laugh and realize just how blessed we are. I can't imagine what life would be like without her.
Hope your 2009 reflection brings you satisfaction and joy, and I certainly hope that 2010 brings you everything to make your life exactly what you want it to be.
ou dissolve the yeast and add the flour and hope it rises - and then hope it rises again - you know what I mean. I broke all cardinal rules about cooking for others - I tried a recipe for the first time and was planning to serve it. I knew I had a safety net, though - I could always stop at Shipley's on the way to work. One picture to the left is them before they went in the oven - the other is them after baking. They were so pretty - and they were very good!
