1999-2010

I've been reading a few of my favorite blogs, reflecting on the year and decade just past.
For me, this past decade has been the best.
Despite all the crappy health stuff, despite all the financial uncertainty, the hope of freedom snatched from my reach, and my father's stroke, and the fissures in the family and all the bad things I could list if I wanted to depress myself....
Despite all that, 10 years ago tonight, when a friend of a friend asked me if I wanted to use his extra ticket and join him at the Millenium Rock Concert in the Pontiac Silverdome, I said yes. And Oscar and I have been together pretty much from that moment on.

Tonight we have been thinking about the good fortune that has come to me in the past 6 weeks or so. About all the hard work finally beginnign to pay off where the pattern stuff is concerned. And how my outlook on life in general is much improved by being able to bring some money in, and begin to write reviews again, and just do more in general without getting as ill. Learning to live within my limitations this year has meant I can do more, for longer, and Oscar can do less.

Oscar's boss has begun to appreciate his value to the department this year, and starting next year, Oscar will be pursuing his education within a company program, involving degrees and bonuses.

So this last day of the decade, on a night of the full moon, we are focusing on letting our current prosperity be the new standard, the new baseline from which to start the next stage of growth.
May next year and every year after be better, and better for us all.