So long, 2008

Ah, 2008. What a beast you have been. As I write this entry on the last day of this year, I am not the least bit sad to see you go. In the history of me, you made the top three list in "worst / hardest / saddest years of my life". How d'ya like THEM apples? Hmmm?

Granted - not everything was bad, 2008. New friends came into my life when I needed them most. Strength was acquired from reserves in me that I never knew existed. Lessons - hard lessons - were learned. Forgiveness was granted, both by me and to me. I fell down many times, but kept getting up on my (sometimes shaky) feet.

But 2008, in many other ways, you kicked my ass and had your way with me during the past 365 days (we got 1 extra day because of Leap Year. Lucky us.). There was the saga of the ankle injury, ultimately resulting in surgery. There was the bout of pneumonia over my birthday (thanks for the great timing). There was the whole stress of THE incident (I trust you know what I'm talking about....no need to divulge details). And of course......there was the uproarious joke of me re-entering the world of dating. 2008, you had a wicked sense of humor. Prior to this year, the last time I really "dated" was in 1996. Many laughs were had - both BY me and AT me - in regards to this debacle. Thanks for that.

So, 2008, I hope you'll understand why I'm so eager to bid you farewell. It's nothing personal. It's just.....I need more out of my years. While I don't subscribe to the notion of "resolutions", there are some changes I'll be implementing in 2009. Simply, I'm just going to do things better. Not "try". "Do". I'm GOING to eat healthier foods. I'm GOING to make exercise my friend. I'm GOING to get out of my house more. I'm GOING to be the change I long to see in my life. The role of 2009 will be simple: God willing, I will be provided with the days in which to DO more good.

Alright, 2008. That's all I've got to say. While I appreciate your visit, it's really time for you to be going. Here, let me get that door for you......

Compliments of...........

When was the last time you received a compliment? A real, genuine compliment? Been stopped a complete stranger to have them say a few nice words to you? Mark Twain once said that he could "live for two weeks on a good compliment." My best friend and I were blessed to receive a touching compliment today.

As I do every Thursday, I had lunch with my best friend. And, as we do every Thursday, we talked incessently about what was going on in our lives. We each have struggles, frustrations, and challenges we face.......yet we always end up laughing to the point of tears. Today was no exception. Whether it was the bestest's story about her previous night's rehearsal, or my own quip about the joke my Dad played on me today, we found ourselves laughing constantly as we shared our meal.

When the older couple in the booth behind us got up to leave, the lady approached us. She said, "In these trying days that we live in, it sure is nice to go out in public and still hear people sharing the joy of laughter. Thank you for making our lunch so great!"

By doing what best friends naturally do when they're together - giggle a bit too loudly - we had inadvertently brightened someone's day. However, the joy this kind stranger showed to us by taking the time to pay us such a lovely compliment can't be measured.

When somebody touches your life in some small way - tell them! It takes just a few seconds, but the memory of the compliment will last longer than you'll know.