As 2007 draws to a close, I'd like to take the opportunity to say how much I appreciate having such wonderful friends-yes this includes my happy stalker here at tv.com. I may not have had the time to comment on some of your blogs but I did read each and every one of them. 2007 was not the best year for me but it certainly wasn't the worst year of my life. One thing I have learned is that we cannot get through life without faith, family and good friends.

No, I'm not going to get all religious on you but I do read alot of books on Buddism. In the past eight years since I started reading all I can about buddism, I have become less materialistic and more centered mentally. I still love a good shopping spree (retail is great therapy), but I'm always mindfulthat there are hundreds of homeless families here in Bismarck that don't have 3/4 of what I do. I have a job, a cozy apartment, plenty of food to eat and I am rich spiritually. Oh, and I can't forget my wonderful step-father who considers me his daughter, and my step sisterMelanni and her family.All in all, life is beautiful.

One of my uncles passed away on December 31 of last year and while he certainly is missed, he is not forgotten. My Aunt Mavis is in the final stages of Alzheimer's so I anticipate going to yet another funeral sometime this year. Fortunately for me, I was able to see her last summer-when she still seemed to have a hint of remembering faces.

Mavis holds a special place in my heart for being the last of the truly **** people who never said a hateful thing about anyone. So it's not surprising the that seeing her last summer made me to some soul searching about what I can do to be a better person, which lead me to a bout with depression. I went back a therapist I was seeing after my father passed away eight years ago and what we discussed has given my a fesher perspective on life in general. The biggest change is that I have finally let go of my anger and enjoy being happy.

Random Quotes on happiness:

John Barrymore:

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.

George Burns:

Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.

George Sand:

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.

Albert Camus:

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

As we near 2008, I wish each and every one of you good health, spiritual happiness and great prosperity. Cherish life's tiny moments and think not of tomorrow but of the present.