2008

I guess that I should have a post that ties the loose ends of 2007 while cracking open 2008. It is in the Blogger's Rule Book that this MUST happen at some point in time within the first week of a new year. So, forced by that rule, I offer this installment of Here I Stand...

2007, I must admit, was a very good year for me. No I didn't win the Powerball/Mega Millions/Big Game lottery and no I did not find Mrs. Right, and no I did not get my dream job of lying on a tropical beach somewhere soaking up the tropical sun. What I did do was make it through the year with my head and life up. I am far better off now than I was a year ago and I owe that first and foremost to God. He has richly blessed me beyond my wildest imagination. I praise Him for His tender mercies.

I also owe a ginormous debt of gratitude to my friends Mike and Pam and their families. These two people are the closest thing that you will find if you are looking for the model of a Christian man and woman. They amaze me constantly with their love and compassion and on top of that they share my twisted sense of humor.

I owe thanks to my friend Kyle who, though I moved 1,000 miles away from him, continues to keep in touch regularly and inspires me to keep looking up. He is a great guy and one of the very few silver linings in the dark cloud that has been the last four years since my divorce. We have been through a lot in our time at The Pier and his humor kept me afloat (forgive the bad pun).

I owe thanks to Erin. A new friend who, in a short period of time, has crawled into my heart and makes my life brighter. She is a kindred spirit who can speak volumes with a single glance. She lights up a room upon entering and I don't know one single person who doesn't love her and who doesn't want her around. She is a rarity in today's world and I am honored to have her in my life!

I owe thanks to Melissa. An angel from my past who re-appeared in my life and has lifted me up in ways that only she could. She is a class act and I am a better person for knowing her. My love for her is everlasting and I am tinkled pink that she is doing well with a great husband and beautiful children. I still owe her for what she has done in my live over 25 years ago, so with that in mind I will always be in her debt.

I look forward to what 2008 has in store but for the first time in a very long time I am not content with waiting for it to come to me. This year I will run to it and enjoy each new adventure with all of the wonder that I can muster. 2008 will find me Wookin' Pa Nub and hopefully finding it. I have stood on the brink and stared into the abyss. What I saw I will keep to myself but the abyss stared back, and after trembling over it for such a long time I remembered laughter (Does anyone remember laughter?-Yes Robert, I do). I laughed in its faced and remembered who I am. I remembered whose I am. And I remembered joy!

May God grant you a peace-filled-Christ-blessed 2008!