A Year in Review

Before I start rambling about all the good this year has brought I need to drain my system of some unhappiness... On Monday I had to attend a funeral for Joey's cousin. He was 32 and had fantastic kids and he overdosed and died. This world, and the people in it, just disgust me sometimes. As sad as it was, and it was sad, I couldn't help but let my fear overcome me. Just as Joe's family deals with members and their addictions so do I. Seeing JR's 9 year old daughter and how distraught she was made me sick to my stomach when I realized that someday that could be my beloved niece, Tori Rose, or my nephew, Matthew. I never did drugs like them, so maybe I can't fully understand how the drugs eat you up inside. But knowing how much I love my kids and my nieces and nephews and my parents I just can't fathom ow something could make you forget your responsibilities, and better yet, not care how much you're hurting the ones you love. I just pray to God I never have to see the day where my Tori has to bury her mother (my sister) or her father because of sheer stupidity and lack of will power. After I left the funeral all I wanted to do was call her (my sister) and tell her what burying her father did to Joey's cousins' daughter, but I knew it would fall on deaf ears. It's usually true, what they say... You can't help someone who doesn't want help. And unfortunately my sister still falls in that category. I just hope she snaps out of it sooner rather than later. Then, after all the sadness surrounding the funeral I find out that Joey's uncle(the one whose son just died) was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 days before Christmas(also 2 days after his son died). They think they caught it early enough, but cancer is a sneaky bastard. We can only hope for the best... And lastly, my mom's dog, who has been my buddy since we got her (even though she was supposedly my sisters and even though I moved out right after we got her), was diagnosed with lymphoma and only has a few weeks, months at most, to live. She's only 10 and so full of life, even still. I went to my mom's on Monday night(the night they got the diagnosis) and she greeted me at the door, jumping at me and smiling her doggy smile. It was sad and sweet at the same time. Sad because I don't know how many more times I'll walk thru that door and get that greeting and sweet because she licked my face and nuzzled me when I immediately burst into tears upon seeing her. I have always thought of my pets(and my moms) as family, but I never realized how attached I was until tragedy struck....

Now, onto my year in review....

As bad as the economy was and as tight as we were on money I'd like to count 2009 as one of my best years ever! I made 3 new friends and they are the best friends I could ask for! I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel that is the Money Pit, aka my house. Three rooms are painted, I have a semi-real kitchen, and the house as whole looks more complete each day. The girls have found friends in the area and love all of their activities that they're involved in. They are both doing well in school and Mandy Rose is learning how to read-finally! My parents have my niece and nephew back and I no longer have to fear for their well being on a daily basis. Joe made it through the year with only one short lay off, my part time job doing research is still phenomonal and I found another job that I love coming to, with two of the best bosses the world has ever seen! Our families are healthy and happy, for the most part, and we live close enough to see everyone on a regular basis. With all the ups and downs this year brought with it I can't see myself changing a single thing... Happy New Year to all, and may 2010 bring you the happiness and hope that 2009 brought me!