<p>Watching S1 raise his hand, take the oath and become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, fulfilling a nearly lifelong dream.<br>
Also watching him graduate from college.</p>
<p>S2’s making the Honor Roll at his college this semester. Last Christmas he was a hair away from flunking out. </p>
<p>A great spur of the moment (sooo not us) anniversary weekend trip to a lakefront cabin in the mountains.</p>
<p>My D’s graduation. Fireworks, Jazz bands, Katrina tributes and Ellen Degeneres in the Super Dome. Sat beside a World Bank executive who tried to remain composed while wearing a dark three-piece wool suit … in New Orleans … in May.</p>
<p>Listening to DD’s unamplified voice soar over a full orchestra and chorus in her first professional Messiah solo the week before Christmas.</p>
<p>Soprano or contralto?</p>
<p>contralto!</p>
<p>What dmd said…</p>
<p>It was a sucky year that I’m glad to have done. Nothing terrible, but just a long long slog starting with early Jan surgery for H and moving on to mom in hospital and now… aaaaahhhh college apps for DS. I keep a close eye on “Why won’t my son write his essay”…</p>
<p>Well terribly off topic! The topic was what was a GOOD memory and they are many as well.</p>
<p>Best was backpacking with family in Glacier Nat. Park and hike to Grinell glacier. Next best was fantastic halloween backpacking with girlfriends on Angel Island.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t skip looking for the rainbow just because it rained on your picnic.</p>
<p>And I have a semi-secret-makes-me-very-happy thing I get to do each day … initials are VL.</p>
<p>Hands down, my fondest memory in 2009 was watching my son walk down the concourse in the airport after arriving home from his junior year abroad. He left in October, came home briefly for Christmas, and then returned for 5 very long (for me) months. I was never so happy to see his uncut mop of hair, unshaven face, and frayed jeans.</p>
<p>Watching my son pitch his first game in nearly two years after suffering a knee injury that nearly ended his baseball career.</p>
<p>Giving my daughter the biggest hug ever as she announced that she just got accepted ED at Scripps</p>
<p>Hearing the vet neurologist say that my Golden Retriever was going to be fine and that the MRI showed no signs of a brain tumor</p>
<p>Celebrating 25 years of marriage with my wife</p>
<p>Yes 2009 was very good to us…</p>
<p>My daughter getting accepted to med school and getting through her first semester.</p>
<p>2009 started as the most dreadful in all my days. My son was facing a most horrendous misunderstanding and the potential outcome might have followed him through his life. I was seriously considering uprooting after living in this town since birth. Things could have turned out better, but we survived. We didn’t have to move. My boys are settled into their respective colleges and HS and life has moved on, we can focus on the future and not the past mistakes. Given all the turmoil, it’s a year I’d still like to forget.</p>
<p>My fondest memory was also intricately tied to my most painful one</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> relationships…</p>
<p>Though I have to admit my moral 250/250 (it was 242/250 due to hasty grading and they wouldn’t accept my appeal because it wouldn’t make a difference to my final letter grade) on my orgo II final was kinda fond. Oh well, now I only have the private cherishing of the fact that I in principle beat my ex-gf at the exam game (she had 249/250).</p>
<p>Two of them:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Meeting my daughter’s boyfriend and finding out firsthand that he really is the incredibly nice person she says he is.</p></li>
<li><p>Seeing my son come down the airport concourse for his Christmas visit home after a year away in graduate school – and noticing how great he looked after losing more than 30 pounds during the year.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am also in the 2009 was a sucky year club. But…I realized in 2009 more than ever that I am blessed with a wonderful family and wonderful in-laws. Best fun of the year: kayaking in Puerto Rico in the bioluminescence.</p>
<p>2009 was good to us. Even the bad things had positive sides. My aunt died, but she was ready and eager to go, and it has brought the family closer. She also left us her car, which we weren’t expecting, and has been a huge blessing to us. My mom had a stroke, but she is fully recovered. My H’s company has had several lay-offs and reorganizations that are uncomfortable, but we thank God daily that he is still employed.</p>
<p>Our highlight of the year was probably the two-week road trip H and I took in July. First we drove to DC and stayed with H’s 89 year old aunt. We spent most of the time with S1. We watched July 4th fireworks from the roof garden of the townhouse where his study group meets - just across from the Iwo Jima memorial. Then we drove to PA where D had her summer camp job. She was given the rest of the week off, and went with us from that point. We met up with an “invisible friend” from another board for dinner one night. We stayed with an invisible friend from this board in NJ for a night. Then we headed up to New England to visit S2 at his summer music program. There we stayed with another invisible friend from here (thumper1) and visited with yet another (veryhappy)! I enjoy genealogy, and along the way was able to visit archives, and 4 different historical cemeteries. It was a great two weeks - very full of interesting things, and lots of people we care about.</p>
<p>Two highlights:</p>
<p>Obama’s inauguration. I am sooooo thrilled that this happened during my lifetime.</p>
<p>Beating back osteoporosis. I am soooooo relieved that I took action and reversed this.</p>
<p>OTOH, in my little life, the most important thing is knowing that both my sons are where they should be, doing what they should be, and are on the path to being successful, happy, independent adults.</p>
<p>That said, I’m so relieved 2009 and over and done with. I have high hopes for 2010, including full-time employment.</p>
<p>2009 Highlights-</p>
<p>S having a (small) part in his middle school musical. And H & I having fun working on sets, costumes etc.</p>
<p>D winning a very nice regional scholarship, being recognized in “top ten” at graduation, final dance competition when one of her dances made the finals (we had to stay an extra day but that was OK). And starting college.</p>
<p>Me celebrating my 1 year anniversary at a job I love. Getting through my surgery.</p>
<p>We were just home after dropping freshman S at college. His sister attends the same school and was up there early for campus job. Feeling very sad to come home to empty house and then got a text from my D saying “I just saw Z at the caf with lots of friends and he looked so happy” Best moment!!!</p>
<p>My family had many things to celebrate in 2009.</p>
<p>My job was not eliminated (as feared) and I even got a small raise and unexpected bonus. DH got a long-overdue raise as well. </p>
<p>DS’s dedication to school orchestra led up to many fun performances and final concert at Carnegie hall.</p>
<p>The college search resulted in several good options and DS made a choice that makes us happier every day. Many things going so well for him: Great scholarship, not too far away, has joined service organization, stuck with ECs, good grades, first serious gf.</p>
<p>And I am very thankful for discovering all the great folks here on CC in 2009.</p>
<p>Happy 2010!</p>
<p>Lots of nice things happened in 2009. In no particluar order:</p>
<p>Obama’s inauguration</p>
<p>25th wedding anniversary</p>
<p>Hiking in Skye (Scotland)</p>
<p>Viking graffitti in Orkney (Scotland)</p>
<p>Three star meal in Saarbrucken (Germany)</p>
<p>S1 milestone: summer away from the parents with a great internship</p>
<p>S2’s college essays - I didn’t know he had it in him.</p>
<p>S2’s Chicago acceptance</p>
<p>DH got tenure</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Congratulations, mathdad!! That’s wonderful!</p>