The End of Another Year

It's hard to believe that it's the end of 2008. I can't help but feel that I let this year happen to me, most of the year felt as though I had no control whatsoever over my life. My Dad had only passed a few months before Christmas and I was still in shock over such a big loss. If you asked me what the worst days of my life were, I'd tell you that it was the day my daughter died and the night my father died. I spent most of this year filled with the pain of grief and loss and it was extraordinarily difficult. I got through it primarily because my wonderful daughter Annie put her life on hold and took care of me and the rest of the family while I stayed in my bed and did my grieving. Honestly I can't tell you what I would have done without her, she was truly amazing in the unconditional love that she gave me during this time. I love her more than any words could possibly express, she is my best friend, my constant companion who I have more in common with than anyone I know. We laugh together, cry together and find ourselves often in companionable silence whilst doing 'our' thing. I consider myself the luckiest mother in the world to have her for my daughter, it is such a privilege.
This year brought an added burden that I was not expecting. My best friend lost her Mum to Melanoma cancer within 6 weeks of diagnosis. There are no words to express what it is like to watch someone you love so much begin going through the pain that you are currently experiencing yourself. No one could have told us that we'd both lose a parent within seven months of each other. I don't think anything could have bought us closer together. It has been difficult because we have always been there for each other and there have been times this year when we haven't been able to 'be there' for each other. But we have a wonderful friendship that I couldn't manage without and she has been a wonderful support to me as I've crawled through this year. We always seem to be able to make each other laugh no matter how bad things are, she is the sister of my heart and I love her more than she will ever know. As awful as this year was most of the good memories I have, she is a part of.

So on to the good things that happened this year:

The biggest event this year was without a doubt the wedding of our beautiful daughter Kylie. She truly was the most beautiful bride, and her new husband Troy was very handsome. They make a beautiful couple and are currently looking for a house so that they can move out of home and really begin their lives together. Whilst we will miss them both I am looking forward to seeing their joy and the fun of having your first place.

I read 50 books and reading certainly kept me from going insane. I went to some wonderful places and had some fantastic adventures, I became a vampire, I spent a week in the deep south in the America. I discovered an Ireland and Irish folklore that I knew nothing about. I fell in love several times, including many times over with Henry the 8th, and I did a lot of travelling with my favourite red haired Scotsman, Jamie. I feel lucky to have enjoyed so many wonderful books this year. I can't imagine I can read anything better in 2009 but I'm certainly willing to try.
If 2008 was the year of wonderful books than it was also the year of great movies. I saw Mama Mia 3 times, Twilight 4 times and who could forget The Other Boleyn Girl, The Duchess and Nights in Rodanthe. The last but certainly not least was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and almost 3 hours of watching the very gorgeous Brad Pitt. I also watched Pride and Prejudice on DVD about 52 times, I've watched it every week. It was a great movie year!
This year I also managed to Scrapbook over 40 pages and 45 cards. I think this year I have done my best work and I have loved and enjoyed the time that Sheree and I have spent scrapbooking together. We've done a number of pages together and had lots of fun sharing our creative ideas.

For 2009 I look forward to reading lots more, scrapping lots more and laughing lots more! My married daughter is moving out, my eldest son is starting high school and my husband and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary by going on our first cruise. I have much to be grateful for and I am determined to enjoy my time with my family and friends. To all of you, I wish you a happy new year and may 2009 bring you health and happiness. Well we are heading off to enjoy our last movie of the year, 'Bedtime Stories'.