Bring it on, 2010!

Good evening, friends. Can you believe that it is already January 3, 2010? For me, it's hard to believe that nine years have passed since college, the first job, living in New York, first dating Noah, 9/11. Nearly a decade. When I first met N's family, his oldest nephew was 4. We were just in London visiting and his nephew is now 12! He hangs out at skate parks and has a page on facebook. It's just so hard to believe. I'm sure there are innumerable quotes about getting older and the silent indiscernible passage of time, but I don't know of any. I'm sure you all feel it too at markers like the year end.

Before moving on to 2010, let's acknowledge 2009, shall we. I'll list ten memorable moments/things and please do the same if you're feeling up to it (nudge, nudge).

1. The birth of my daughter L in May.

2. K, now two, really embracing and enjoying all of his cousins in both Boulder and London.

3. Visiting E in San Francisco on Valentine's Day weekend. Shabu shabu, shopping, cappuccinos, the De Young, Burma Superstar...we did it all!

4. Discovering the photography of William Eggleston and Stephen Shore, especially Shore's work Uncommon Places. I think about those images all the time.

5. Starting Off Hesperus and being about to discuss and share with all you lovely people.

6. Building a better relationship with my brother, and realizing the importance of family. When the shit hits the fan, family's got your back. It's not a cliche, it's the truth.

7. Barack Obama's first year in office. Personally feeling for the first time that a person who genuinely cares about our best interests is in charge. I believe he is an honorable, compassionate person who wants to better all Americans' lives.

8. Discovering the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. I really love that place. I don't know if we'd identify as Unitarians, but I feel so lucky and fortunate that it's here and a part of our lives. It's added a new dimension to my life. It's a safe place to think about everything important in life, much like this blog.

9. Traveling to London with L and K. This monster of a journey really has made any plane ride, whether it be to Colorado or the east coast seem like a breeze.

10. Seeing Wilco for the first time live in concert with N. They were awesome. They were perfection. It probably wasn't even a good night for them, but I have never had that much fun at a concert.

There are probably other huge (or HUGER) highlights I'm forgetting, but these were definitely memorable and meaningful moments of 2009. Goodbye, 2009. You were a good year! There were great highs and great lows. You sucked economically, but ultimately you'll always be a special year for me because you gave me my beautiful L!