Out with 2009---in with 2010

Wow, where did 2009 go??? I'm trying to take a few minutes today and think about the last year and things that happened (good and bad) and learn from them all. I do believe that no matter what, everything happens in your life for a reason. Trying times and good times are given to us to learn some lesson from, and 2009 taught me a lot about myself. I never thought I could love my grandchildren more but with the addition of Cameron this past year, I learned that there is always more love to give. Each child is different and with that my love for each is different, each one is special and my love for them continues to grow each day. I've heard the old saying that Grandchildren are the reward for parenting, and it makes me kinda sad that as a younger person I didn't take the time to enjoy Brad as much as I'm able to enjoy his children. That leads me to another old saying "with age, comes wisdom", that is so true. I can look back at my life and think how could I have done this or that, but it happened, I can't go back and redo my life. And I'm not sure if that would be the best thing, as I said, you learn from everything you do. Along with the good of 2009 (and there were many things to be grateful for), there was also some bad, sad, make me mad things. I lost the friendship of someone that had been a part of my life for many years and although I know it was for the best and I'm a happier person without them in my life, it still makes me sad. We shared a lot of good and bad times together, but our friendship had to end for us to become better people. Maybe one day we can be friends again, but there was too much done and said between us for that to happen for a long time. Along the way with the good and bad of 2009, I lived my life, each and every day. Yeah, it's not a "I did this" or "I went here" kind of year, but I spent it with a family that loves me for who I am, and I really can't ask for anything more. As we begin another year together, my wish for my family, my friends, and myself is that we continue to learn from our mistakes and NEVER take each other for granted. Life is precious and it should be spent being happy, enjoying those we love, and never letting the "little" things get us down.