Out With The Old

So here we are, in the waning minutes of 2008. The last few hours of any given year tend to be a time of reflection on the events of the past twelve months. My beloved adopted sister, Mighty Mo, has used photos to reflect upon what has been a tumultuous and liberating year for her. Given that plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, and given that I don't take anywhere near as many pictures as she does, I'm going to do the same thing, but with words.

This was a tough year for me, and to be honest, I'm really glad to leave it behind. I've been healthy for more than half of my life, with only an occasional cold, but this year I endured annoying and debilitating, but ultimately superficial, medical problems. I think they're finally coming under control, but I've been dealing with it now since the end of February.

I've met a number of friends, some through work, some through church, and they've been the highlight of this year. This happens to be the first full calendar year that I've ever spent anywhere but home: I left [Hometown] for Zoo Station in 2006, and I left Zoo Station for Van Diemen's Station in 2007. All of 2008 was spent here at Van Diemen's Station.

There were highlights, to be sure. I watched as Ralph Bisz was finally laid to rest. I was confirmed as a full fledged Anglican. There were hockey games, movie nights, and even the last several weeks in which M@ has been an occasional companion. There was the best birthday I've had in several years, and a week in Denver. These are the handful of memories that I will cherish from 2008.

This wasn't just a challenging year for me. We Americans endured an election cycle that produced results that many of us remain concerned about - and not just the actual outcome of who won. We saw the genesis of a global financial crisis caused in large part by irresponsible borrowing, irresponsible lending, and an artificial oil price spike that only collapsed after it had caused the crisis in the first place. Victory in Iraq entered its consolidation phase, and the Afghan dilemma reared its head once more; both were constant reminders that no matter how well or poorly a campaign might be going, that peace is preferable to war.

So to 2008, I raise my bottle of Widmer Hefeweizen and bid you goodbye. May 2008 be someday remembered better than we remember it at present, and may 2009 offer us both real hope and real opportunities to straighten that which is currently warped.