winterbadger | Happy new year!

I spent the evening with

vatoengland,

motherwell,

kevinrtaylor and their friends, then came back to share the stroke of midnight with

redactrice and

shy_kat. I've spent the few hours since out on my back porch, listening to the dying embers of celebration, smoking, and thinking.

This has been a sad year in many ways, but also a wonderful one. Chris and I have finally made the Big Break, but we are still dear, close friends, who will always (I hope) be part of each others' lives, and what happened needed to be done. We have not lost what was important between us that we still held, and we are free to do what we will with our hearts.

I didn't return to Scotland, but I have plans to do so in the new year. I _did_ start an M.A. program, and got an A in my first class. I finally got the clearance that I've been waiting for for two years, and with that I fulfilled a goal I first sought in 1987. I have work that is remunerative and worthwhile that may be boring sometimes but is also challenging.

I said goodbye to one love in 2004 and had one or two false starts, but right at the end began discovering someone new who I think will prove to be a dear and special friend and sweetheart. I'll check back on that next year this time and see where we are. :-) And I've made and maintained many good friendships.

I've spent a year living more or less on my own, with two of the best housemates one could ask for, and I've discovered the joys (and woes) of an independent life. I can sleep alone in my own bed without being sad (apart from the time in the morning when the cats get me up before I'm ready.)

The greater world has had many heartaches and tragedies, but I am grateful that those in my life have been so few. To you and for you and with you, my friends, I wish the blessings of whatever gods and goddesses there may be, now and always. Amen.