Cheers to the new year

"Cheers to the new year and another chance to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey

Three conversations today with good friends of long standing. All of us agreed that 2011 HAS to be better than what we've all endured in 2010. HAS to be.

Time.

We haven't run out quite year, I hope.

Time to open the doors to new possibilities. I see wide French doors, panes of glistening sunlit glass, billowing sheers dancing to the ocean's breezy tune.

I see light.

I see sand and surf, blue skies kissed by early morning sunlight, the new day stretching out in front of all of us. Gentle, easy, positive and open.

Doors.

Smiling forth.

Bring on the sun.

Bring on the light.

Bring on new.

New and better

An end to strife. An end to bullying. An end to negatives.

Bring on the sun.

Thank you, Lord. Please help me to keep all of us safe, healthy, happy, and secure.

Please help me DO.

Bring on the sun.

Well, it's about time...

...and I'm resolved. No more shoulds or recriminations. No more negatives. I've had a lifetime of self putdowns, but no more. Time to celebrate the positives that make me real.

And worth it.

Because I am.

Why am I happy today?

Ten hours sleep helped.

No work helped.

Chinese lunch helped.

Good conversations with two close friends helped.

Three Siamese helped. A lot.

No, the house isn't pristine and the stuff isn't ready for next weeks return to work just yet, but that's okay. We're happy and home together. What else matters?

One of my 3 ...

One of my three isn't doing well. My Aramis, a 12 year old seal point Siamese, developed sudden onset kidney problems Thursday and has been hospitalized since early Saturday morning. This is our second round of kidney problems, the last being one week shy of a year ago. I'm grateful that he had a year of happiness and comfortable living, and pray we'll share many more when he shakes this off.

My other two are, of course, upset. Clingy, quiet, staying close by and Not at all their usual cheery, naughty selves.

How does one describe the joys of being totally in thrall to three Siamese? This is my third generation of uber-wonder-felines. Over thirty-five years of laughter, exasperation, forehead touches, purring, playful games of fishing pole, shredding of any paper not locked away in Siamese-proof hiding (not easily obtained, I assure you), repeated petty theft, 3 a.m. "hey, let's play!" stomping on my torso or paw up the nose "are you up yet? My food dish is only half full..." demands....

Thirty-five years of love.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Times 3?

Three.

Why three?

I like odd numbers.

I play the piano. A lot.
In fact, I earn a goodly portion of my living by playing the piano.

I write on computer keyboards.
In fact, I earn a small portion of my living by writing on computer keyboards.
I hope to earn even more over the next year.

I share my home with three Siamese cats. Sweet, naughty, noisy, playful, funny, obnoxious, spoiled and wonderful Siamese.
Wouldn't be happy without 'em.
Not at all.

Three.
Areas of my life on which I'm focusing right now.

Health.

Spirituality and well-being.

Happiness.

Ultimately, isn't that last the crux of the umbrella?