Now with the Christmas holiday behind us, our attention turns to the new year and all of the challenges and opportunities that 2009 will bring. Samantha and I sat down a while back to talk about the next several years as a means to keep the "big picture" in perspective. The next calendar year does not have a lot of notable or life-changing events on it; rather, it is set to be one more year to get a few things squared away before the to-do lists get a lot longer. I am looking forward to another year of our adventure together.
There is also that retrospective component of the new year that guides us to reflection. I believe 2008 was, on the balance, a very good year. The two of us remain in good health and gainfully employed in stable jobs in spite of the economic outlook. A testament to that can be found in our decision to donate the van that I had been driving back and forth to work to charity instead of selling it (either to a car lot or junk yard). Proceeds will go to benefit National Kidney Foundation of Middle Tennessee. It will not help much as is valued at less than $200 in the books, but we are thrilled to do it.
The Nashville Predators downed the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 tonight, so optimism reigns supreme. Here is to a prosperous and exciting 2009!