So here it is, the end of the year. It's been a pretty busy one--here are Thirteen reasons why I will most likely remember 2009.
1) We attended the NJ Governor's ball celebrating the inauguration of President Obama. I dressed up and D rented a tux. It was great.
2) I became more involved in politics. I contacted my senators and congressmen and let them know how I felt. Sometimes I agreed with President Obama, sometimes I didn't.
3) We found our house.
4) We closed on our house.
5) My youngest bio niece graduated high school and got into a good college.
6) My aunt and uncle celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They wanted very little fanfare, but when my uncle raised his wine glass and made his toast, I watched an entire restaurant of strangers wipe at their eyes.
His toast: To my beloved wife--the Belle of Queens College. How is it, my love, that I've grown old, but you are as young and even more beautiful than the first day I saw you? People ask "Does it seem like 65 years?" and I have an answer. If you're married to the right person, one day you'll wake up and someone will tell you that it's been 65 years since you met under the huppah. And that day you'll think--really? 65 years? It seem like just yesterday. Time flies when you're having fun.
7) My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by taking the whole barking lot of us to England. It was wonderful.
8) I met, in person, Michelle and her husband Joe. I am fortunate to know a blogger--and consider her a friend.
9) We moved to our house. We're still unpacking. Yes it's been almost 5 months. No, I don't want to hear it.
10) I got to cross See Paul McCartney in Concert off my bucket list. I saw THIS CONCERT. Yes. The one they made a CD and DVD out of. I was THERE. If Paul had asked me which songs I would have wanted him to play---I would have handed him most of this list! It was amazing. Even more amazing was the sing-along by New Yorkers in the subway. Best. Concert. Ever.
11) Due to a co-worker who was pregnant, and said "I want to get tickets to the Bruce Springsteen concert so I have a great night out before the baby comes." I got to see this Bruce Springsteen concert. (of COURSE she had the baby a week before the concert--5 weeks before due date) Seeing Springsteen--and now living in NJ it means something so much more. He ROCKED.
12) We also saw Star Wars in concert and Trans Siberian Orchestra. It was wonderful.
13) I survived. I found a lump in my breast a few weeks ago--through luck and good fortune it was a benign lump. Thanks be to Gd. I kept my job, I still enjoy my job. My husband and I still love each other. My parents are still alive and in reasonably good health. I have good friends who love me--even when I don't feel very lovable.
I'm looking forward to 2010. Hopefully it will be the decade I become a parent. Hopefully my parents will see the end of it. I hope that this country will be in a better place then. I hope my friends are still healthy and here. I hope that I can take my beloved's hand at the end of 2019 and say--wow, what a decade, now come with me my love and walk into the future.
I hope.
Beautiful. I hope all these dreams come true for you.
Posted by: lilibeth | December 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM
You've had quite the year.
Posted by: Alice Audrey | December 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM
You've had a wonderful, memorable year!
Posted by: Irishcoda | December 31, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Lovely list of memories and may 2010 be filled with more joys. I'll remember your uncle's amazing toast ;-)
Hugs and blessings,
Posted by: storyteller | December 31, 2009 at 12:22 PM
What great memories. May the next decade hold many more and may it find all your loved ones still with you.
Posted by: Grandma | December 31, 2009 at 12:41 PM
You've had an eventful year. I love your Uncle's toast. It's so very true.
Happy New Year. Have a wonderful 2010
Posted by: Shelley Munro | December 31, 2009 at 01:00 PM
You did some cool things this year, although I konw you are still waiting or the one thing you want the most. I hope 2010 is the year you realize that dream. We so loved meeting you. One day we will make it to your neck of the woods and meet your husband too. It's on my list of goals for 2010. Happy New Year to you both!
Posted by: Michelle | December 31, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Sounds like you had a great year!
Happy New Year to you :)
Posted by: Harriet | December 31, 2009 at 03:22 PM
what a great post! Thanks so much for sharing. The year seems full of so many highs, and clearly ones that touched you and will remain with you. Glad to see a highlight list when all I had in my head about my 09' was the opposite. Perhaps I should rethink.
Posted by: Lisa | January 03, 2010 at 05:43 PM