I also learned, as you have, that blood is not thicker than water. It has been six months since I have talked to my brother or his wife,not by my choice, unfortunately. Not talking to them means not being in my nieces’ lives, but it was a decision I had to make. I stood by my ground when it cames to protecting my nieces and thus, my brother and his wife stopped talking to me despite their actions that let to that.

I also had a lesson in bullying. In my case, my son was the one being bullied and ended being the bully for defending himself, which I stood by and made a lot of school administrators angry.

I found out my younger sister, my BF growing up, has Hodgkins lymphoma and we are slowing, but surely, getting through that.

But the biggest eye opening episode for me of 2008, was finding out I had RA. The world suddenly stood still. I have learned to appreciate my strength, my support links, my family, God, but most of all, my children.

God bless and Hope 2009 is a great year for all.