Good by 2008. Hello 2009

Christmas 2008 has come and gone. The decorations are back in the attic for another year, and 2009 is off and running.

Last year ended badly. My brother Art passed away on November 23 after a relatively short battle with esophageal cancer. I am still in shock. The memorial service in Michigan the day before Thanksgiving was lovely, and it was good to be with family, but I have still not come to grips with his death. He was (and will always be) my baby brother - regardless of the fact that he was 64 years old when he died! One of the hardest things for me to grasp is that he was not really a major part of my life since we were children. His wife Sharon and his three daughters were his true family, and he had a wonderful family life. Being so involved with his family and his work and the fact that he and I lived so far apart meant relatively few get-togethers over the years, although I treasure the memory of each and every one. I love him, and I miss him. But life goes on. Jaime and I will be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this June, and I am hoping all the family will be able to attend our party. I am working on the details now.