Happy New year, all three of you! It's 2am and I doubt I have enough energy to do the full-year summary at the moment, but in a spirit of gratitude I'd like to at least say thanks for the following things in 2005. Maybe I'll get to the wrapup after some sweet-potato hash and coffee in the morning. So, thanks to the universe | higher power | Flying Spaghetti Monster for the following:

• First and foremost, that Mom is still present on this planet and doing well. Her illness has been a life-changing event for all of us, and I'm still working to absorb the fact of it and the lessons it keeps bringing (and racking up a lot of frequent-flyer miles). Deep thanks also for the incredible show of support from all over—it helped shore us up in the initial shock, and the love, prayers, cards, letters, comments, emails, dolls, household chores, and all of the support our family has received have continued to sustain us as we continue through the journey.
• Reconnection with old friends. One of the bits of fallout from the above is that I've come to realize on a deeper level how much all relationships need to be tended to and nourished. While I've always been fortunate that my family and close friends and I can pick up from wherever we've left off, I've also realized that it's too easy to let time slip past without staying in contact. It's been a joy the last few months to get back in touch with y'all.
• Renewed drive to create. This last year has been what I consider a "fermentation"year—lots of things bubbling up, but nothing concrete just yet. I'm at a point now where my work-life balance allows me some time to set goals for what I want to accomplish in my artistic life, and the main goal for the rest of this weekend (aside from reorganizing files and general cleanup) is to come up with a few.
• World travel. This year marked my first trip ever overseas (a somewhat embarassing fact for me, nearing 40), and it also was an amazing experience. To see both the majesty and dire poverty of India, to adapt to a country where I didn't speak the language, got sick multiple times and still managed to get around, and just to take 3 weeks away from work, brought a depth to my life that I'll continue to savor as I plan the next trip. The travel bug has bitten hard, and I couldn't be happier about it.

There's far more to the list, but the champagne has now taken its full effect and I'm off to bed. May your new year bring you the stillness of deep winter, the blooming energy of spring, the growth and warmth of summer, and the full harvest of fall.