As the Curtains Closes on 2008

I'm taking inventory of all that has happened in 2008...a review, a nostalgic glance of it all.

In 2008, there were a few gains....some wanted and some unwanted. I gained a few more pounds (ugh).

Gained a marriage proposal and engagement ring with my sweet love, Boo.

Gained a job promotion.

Gained awareness that I am not my hair, my skin, my weight, my clothes.

Gained the courage to get my mammogram done (yuck).

Gained the joy of having my daughter come home from Texas and home to live with me! (Yayyyyy)

Gained the title of children's book author by completing the first book in our (my twin and I) children's series.

Gained laughter. I laughed more than I cried in 2008. My cup overflowed with puppy licks, baby mischief (thanks to Baby Boo), dance parties (thanks to Teen Boo), being like a kid again with my Boo.

Gained wonderful, new friends from everywhere in the form of blogging.

Gained awareness of letting go of the ex and still holding on to the memories.

Gained new traditions for the holiday season.

Unfortunately, with gains comes losses...good or bad.

I lost...

my parents when they moved to North Carolina.

a lot of sleep once Baby Boo's visitation was in place. Those 6 AM screams of "Momo!!!" can either be music to my ears or at my age, a huge sigh for wanting more sleep and not being able to get more.

the motivation to exercise and take better care of myself...which has got to change for the better.

my girl puppy dog, Selah who is now happily living with my ex.

touch with good friends when I moved to a new area.

But through it all, I've decided that it's better to focus more on the gains than the losses.

One scripture that is my exit to 2008 reads: "Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert" (Isaiah 43:18-19 HCSB).

I'm looking forward to what 2009 holds. It can only be better than 2008!!