Auld Lang Syne

New Year's eve is again upon us and most of us take a few minutes to reflect on the changes in the past year. This particular New Year happens to also be the end of the first decade of a new millennium, so probably more reflection is required, but I'll just jot down a few things that went though my head at the time I started writing this.

First, I'd be lying if I didn't admit that not much has changed with my job. The next great American novel still eludes me like a gazelle to a lion. However, considering how many times I'm reminded that those of us that have jobs are lucky, I won't complain. There is always next year.

My 98 year old grandmother is still adding enjoyment to my life and both parents are in good health.

I am surrounded by a great group of friends who accept me as I am and aren't afraid to tell me off when I need a reality check. The type of friends that ask you if you are ok after you fall down stairs and then start laughing hysterically when you tell them that you are not hurt.

It has been a year of changes in the lives of those around me. Friends moving in together, running (and not running) for office, basements remodeled, moving cross country, several went M.I.A. for a time being and others were found again through Facebook (in spite of my reluctance). Bars every night and movies at the house with take out have given way to less frequent poker nights and dinner at new restaurants to catch up.

A friend mentioned that sometimes you don't notice how much time has lapsed until you see the change in friends' children. You blink and kids that were two are on the way to eight. The documentation to prove this is a plethora of digital evidence across numerous states and cameras.

That being said, I have learned a lot this year about myself and about (and from) those around me and I look forward to what is coming in 2010.

Happy New Year!

A Moment

Yesterday I received a real hug. You know what I mean. No, not the hug you give to your wife before she leaves for the day or the one you give your kids when they head off to school. More like the powerful hug that can only be amplified by emotions like fear or utter bliss. Fear of losing someone, or happiness that that you haven't lost someone.

Let me explain. My 98 year old grandmother went into the hospital the other night because she wasn't feeling well...again. This is not a rare occurrence since she has had a few episodes in the past year or so and every time she goes into the hospital they find nothing. Who knows what the body does at 98 years. Even the doctors seem to be perplexed. However, after a few days of "observation" she is released with new medication.

For 98 years old, my grandmother is in great shape. She still walks to the bus and goes out shopping for hours. She acts like a woman half her age and has the spirit to match. I am convinced that this is the key to her longevity.

The other night when I visited her at the hospital I gave her a hug when I entered the room. It's this hug that I want to mention here, because I'm realizing in life that we need to enjoy and embrace every moment that causes us raw emotion.

The hug was simple. A full, arms around each other hug where I could feel the warmth of her body and felt that I could feel her life essence grabbing me and reciprocating the emotion I was conveying. This is the hug that I would imagine you parents give to your kids after they almost get hit by a car crossing the street or after they show up after being "missing" for a period of time. A hug of relief. A hug full of love beyond description. Almost the same as the hug you give someone that you are glad to see after a a long absence, but without the fear of loss. In short, the type of hug that reminds you how fragile we all are.

If you're smiling right now then there is nothing else I need to write to explain myself...