Thank you to the Universe

It's now 2009 with all the possible joy and fear that a new year portends. So to start it off on a positive note, I hereby express my gratitude to

- my family, near and far, for loving me despite my faults
- my friends for listening and supporting me through my ups and downs
- my parents, though gone. Thanks for having had such a good time. Had you not, I might not be here.
- my neighbours for their good humour and inclusiveness. Need to feel welcome? You should live here!
- my correspondents; those who take the time to send me personal notes or even routine jokes. Nice to still be connected albeit electronically.
- those who serve me locally and in the city. So pleasant. So helpful.
- the animals who enter my life through various means but who invariably enrich my life
- my teachers for their patience, their willingness to share their knowledge to help me learn
- those in whom I find fault for there's often a lesson to be learned, yes, even tho irked!
- my little town, my province, my country. What a great place to live! Who doesn't love Canadians and the Canadian way?! Yes, the weather can be a challenge but the views, the land, and our culture more than make up for it!
- and last, not least, those whose paths have crossed mine. It's always a pleasure.

I'm glad to be alive, to be able to dance, sing, make music and love. To cook and eat with gusto! To strap on my skates and glide (something we did today on the lake). To swim, paddle, walk, write, paint, golf, and collect and yes, even to dust for in dusting one is reminded of the feel of things. It's good to be alive. Economy be damned. It's good to be alive, to feel alive and especially to be living in Canada.