Either way, surround yourself with friends.

Entry for December 28, 2005

Been a rough year. I can't say I remember a year quite so bleak. I'm looking forward to a fresh start, no matter how meaningless the turning of a calendar page may be. The symbolic renewing can be as liberating as the real thing if not ignored.

In 1976 I remember, at the mere age of 6, how wonderful the world seemed to me. For years thereafter I still held this year with the bicentennial coins in high regard. Until the freedom of 6th grade camp another half of my life later, was I still thinking to that grand year. Well, here we are some 30 years on and I'm looking for another amazing year.

Here's to all my friends and family in the new year. Here's to a year of living life and learning and sharing and growing and loving a little more than in the last. And here's to no regrets, but only hope for the awareness to not only 'gather ye roses while ye may', but here's hope for the time to smell them and the wisdom to savor such time the whole year through.

Please, any friend who reads this, take a moment to comment or call ...or better yet, let's get together and enjoy one another's company. And, hey, if not with me, with another friend or loved one. You never know, this could be your lousy year, though I hope in my heart-of-hearts it's not. Either way, surround yourself with friends.

Happy New Year to All!