I like even numbers. Eight is actually my favorite number: it's the symbol for infinite gone vertical, reaching heavenward, mystical. Odd numbered years represent sowing seasons; even are for reaping. May we all realize a good harvest in 2008... what kind of seeds have you sown?

So what's going on with me? You haven't seen me much around Blogstream these days...life is so incredibly busy! Would that it was because I'd run off and gotten married, as Bella recently wondered with a wink! No, nothing like that. Not yet... (but how does 8/8/08 sound? ;) However, I will say that last summer Colo foretold of romance and career changes she saw ahead for me. To my surprise, she was not wrong on either count. :)

My employer of over 14 years told me last spring "no worries when your boss retires this fall! we will create a position for you if we have to! we don't want to lose a loyal employee like you!" Being a single mom, I exhaled and gratefully said thank you. When September came, the words had changed. "we regret that we have no position to offer you, and your termination is effective upon the retirement date of your boss in seven weeks."

Judas, would you betray me with a kiss? I was stunned; my boss was devastated for me (but powerless), my coworkers were shocked. I cried.

Do angels not appear in our darkest hour? Somehow, I ran into a business acquaintance I had not seen in a year or more, and he knew of a place that had an opening for just my specific skills. He gave them my card. I was hired two weeks later. I resigned my position with my employer and left three weeks ahead of their termination date. On my terms. They were shocked. My boss understood and was happy for me. A month later, I attended his retirement party hosted by my former employer with my head held high. I now worked for their competition! ;)

Sometimes this is what the Universe does to get your attention. I had not truly grasped how beaten down I had slowly become over the years at that place until I got away from it. Not beaten down by my boss (who was wonderful), but by Management. My new company isn't perfect by any means, but they have said more than once that they are happy to have me as part of their "family", and I truly feel a valued part of the team. I am home again.

My daughter struggled with the first year demands of university, and is now at a technical school. She is excited and on fire for learning "only the things she needs to know" in her chosen field of dental assisting, and pulling all A's for the first time in her life. I am proud of her. She has her head on straight and will do well.

When I look back on 2007, the best moment was surely in September when Mom was declared officially in remission and cancer-free with her lymphoma. It had been such a long, frightening road for my parents. She could not have done it without Dad's loving support. Thank you to all who sent kind thoughts and prayers. It meant so much to me! So unfortunately, the worst moment of 2007 came on the heels of Mom's happy news. A week later, my Daddy went in for a physical and the suspicious chest X-ray turned out to be Stage IV lung cancer. Though I sense he is covering his fear with humor, he keeps an positive outlook. He said "if your Mom can do it, then I can do it!" Now you know where I get my eternal optimism from!


Dad is mid-way through his current chemo and radiation treatments and doing well, except for what he calls his "sunburned throat". All my love to Heide, who has been a big support to me here and has kept my parents in her prayers faithfully.

Wishing everyone a 2008 filled with love and hope. I can't imagine it any other way! :) -Six