I'm not one to write this sort of stuff, nonetheless, post it on a blog, but I'm getting older so I figure, what the hell? I thought I'd share it with you all because I consider a number of you good friends, even if in a long-term, message board sort of way :)

Just Another Trip Around the Sun.

Hear 'em singing Happy Birthday
Better think about the wish I made
This year gone by ain't been a piece of cake
Every day's a revolution
Pull it together and it comes undone
Just one more candle and a trip around the sun
                                                             Jimmy Buffett

I have a love/hate relationship with this day. You will be hard pressed to find anyone who appreciates every trip around the sun. Yet, this day reminds me that I am another year older, a reminder that doesnt sit well with this youthful spirit. So, today I celebrate and lament another years journey, and what a year it has been.

I dont anticipate ever forgetting this years events. First, I just want to say that despite everything, maybe because of everything, I couldnt be more grateful for all that I have in life. I am blessed to have an incredible family, all healthy and happy. I have great friends and I have my health. For those of you who know my luck with pets, Im happy to say that I have two healthy cats. Life is, indeed, good.

One year ago today, I awoke consumed by the confusion and frustration that came from watching my home fall apart at the winds of Hurricane Katrina. She whipped through Miami as just a little rain maker, but left my home full of water damage rendering it temporarily uninhabitable. After gathering myself and formulating a plan, I began the long fight with contractors, lawyers, insurance agents, and construction workers (Hablas espanol? No.). Some battles remain today. I spent the ensuing months sleeping on the remains of my contents in an apartment that my friends affectionately referred to as the shelter.

Aside from confronting the challenges that come with the start of a new semester, and dealing with home repairs, I also mourned the loss of three good friends. My childhood best friend died of breast cancer. Karen and I met in nursery school and remained lifelong friends. We played sports together, hung out together, had the same boyfriends, traveled to Canada together for softball tournaments, and endured a backpacking trip through the Smokey Mountains with my Mom. Karen died within two weeks of losing another good friend, as well my Dads best friend. It was a sad time. I found some solace in the fact that I did get a chance to tell Karen that I loved her.

All was not lost, though. Despite all that had happened, living without the constant company of TV (The horror! Rock Star INXS was still on and it was football season!), or my cats who stayed in St. Pete, and the computer, I still had my car, which pointed directly toward Gainesville. I could still see my Gators play live, and be greeted by Kite who always had a cold Sammy ready for me! That, time away from the chaos, and to be around friends, was all I needed.

I'm just hanging on while this old world keeps spinning
And it's good to know it's out of my control
If there's one thing that I've learned from all this living
Is that it wouldn't change a thing if I let go

I learned this year that the world does, indeed, keep spinning. Still, I had no intention of slowing down, no matter what was thrown at me. Not long after I was able to move back home, a routine mammogram detected some problems, and I was quickly referred in for a biopsy. The great news is that the results were benign (Thank you, God!); the sort of bad, but could be a whole hell of a lot worse news, is that the recovery from the biopsy hurt like hell and took much longer than I had expected. (As a little aside, while I was on the table someone was using my debit card number to hit every 7-11 on the east coast while clearing out my bank account. Jackass.)

My year has hardly ended on an uneventful note. Two weeks ago, I received a series of messages on my voice mail from the State Attorneys office informing me that I had been subpoenaed to serve as a witness in an armed robbery (Yes, being a witness means that the defendant now knows my name and where I work). Shortly before I moved, I had an encounter with a man who held my neighbor up at gunpoint approximately 10 or 15 minutes after the encounter. The evidence appeared overwhelming, but the jury didnt think that my neighbor saw his face for long enough. Not guilty.

Yes, I'll make a resolution
Then I'll never make another one
Just enjoy this ride on my trip around the sun

Those are just a couple stories that highlight this year. I didnt even begin to describe the night I didnt miss a bite as a shooting broke out at a small crack motel door next to where I was eating. What can I say? I like their veggie dogs. It was just another day in Miami.

The things I just described were actually a small part of my year, a year full of fun and accomplishments (e.g., Gators winning the national championship, an amazing trip to Europe and being elected as Pres-Elect for my professional organization). I have much to celebrate. Again, I am grateful that I have my health, just as I am grateful for having a wonderful family, great friends and two entertaining cats. If you are reading this note, then you are likely a family member or friend to whom I extend my love and thanks. Thank you! Im afraid you all are stuck with me for a good long time. I still have a lot to do.

Time to go track Ernesto! :/