Two-thousand-six,

I sat down to my laptop several times today to write about you, but the words just haven't flown freely. It's guilt, really...you'd think with all of the bad that's come about during your reign, I'd remember it a little better—I lost my best friend in January after all...but the thing is, I still feel her around me all of the time. I didn't lose Mom at all, really. I miss her voice, but I can still feel her touch.

Nick and I put together a list of my 2006 "firsts"...it was a year to spread my wings and explore. Tucked in among the sillier entries—beer, Starbucks, David Gray, Charity runs—were those I felt even sillier to say...the sound of Nick's voice and the smile it brings to my face, or the joy I feel when I open my eyes in the morning. I don't remember such simple contentment in years past, in lives past.

Life is hard, there's no doubt about it. Hurting is easy, it's the most natural thing in the world. I chose to smile, to toss my hair back around a belly laugh and greet the unknown with high expectations. So, Two-thousand-six, I think I win this round. Sweet dreams and I wish you well.