January 2009 already?

Wow! I can't believe it's already January of 2009. As I watched the ball drop in New York City, (on tv of course), many thoughts ran through my mind. Mostly, how could I get the kids to go to bed so that I could? I was seriously tired, when did I get so old? In the days since then, I've had a lot to think about regarding the new year. I've read a lot of articles, seen a lot of lists, the typical New Year's stuff. I didn't even bother to make any resolutions, because I just break them all the time anyway. Any day is as good as the first day of a new year to start trying to be your best and accomplish something you've been wanting to do anyway, right? So, I guess I resolved not to make any particular New Year's resolutions. Great, then I can't disapoint myself. Most of the articles I've read all seem to say the same thing, that 2008 sucked, that it can only get better, the economy is in the toilet, the world is in an awful predicament, hopefully Barack Obama can help sort out the mess. The president elect seems like a good person, I hope he can sort out some of the mess. My heart certainly breaks for the people who've lost their jobs, lost their savings, lost their houses. There are so many said stories out there, and yes, the economy is in bad shape.
I pray things turn around. I pray for peace. There was a local story where a man killed himself and his son, because he was so torn up over financial issues. I cried over that one, and I pray for them both. I hope in times like this, the best comes out in people, not the worst. I hope remember what it's like to be struggling, and help our neighbor. I hope we give others the benefit of the doubt, and believe in the kindness of folks. And when I remember 2008, I won't remember just the struggles and the bad things. I'll remember that we had a pretty, white Christmas, that we were all healthy, that nobody that I loved dearly died that year. And I will count my blessings, over and over again. And I will pray for peace.