In the middle of the journey of our life I found myself astray in a dark wood where the straight road had been lost. — Dante

Chakotay: If you always see the road ahead of you it’s not worth the trip

This is what I am pondering today. My road has been bumpy as Hell in 2007 and here I am but hours away from 2008. But where those rises I encountered and seemingly surpassed truly so difficult that I am battle-weary and scarred going into the new year?

• I had major surgery to benefit my health;
• I had two books come out, both of which pleased me greatly to write;
• My husband’s kidney disease went into remission;
• My daughter got a horse and thereby, we have driven the road to BB Stable every day since February–sometimes more than once;
• We got to spend time with Thordur Bjorn, my dear Icelandic love (husband of Helga Dis, father of Thula Katrin and Esja)
• 2007 marks the 30th year of friendship with Thordur’s father, Siggi, and his wife, Annalisa, also of Iceland. Holy crap I’m getting old! It was the tail-end of 1977 when I first wrote Siggi;
• We remodeled my office and the daughter’s bedroom;
• I lost Kitty-Girl after 18 years, but gained Teague, the Hell-cat;

Doesn’t seem too adventurous or treacherous, heh? It’s the things written between the lines that caused me woe this year. And I am making concerted efforts to amend my personal actions which caused me and mine distress in 2007. Hey! Change is good! It’s uncomfortable, but damn…change is soooo good.

Here’s to embracing the changes of 2008! Come hill and valley and forceful blockade, I am armed and ready. Bring it freakin’ on.

May those who read this experience boundless joy, peace, security and good circumstances in 2008.

Darr