<p>DS got his masters degree, and got his first job.</p>
<p>DD had her 21st birthday and is now a college senior. </p>
<p>We had our first famlly wedding for a cousin of my kids’ generation and all four of us were there for the event. Summer was loads of fun with visits from family, real friends, “invisible friends” and families (two of them…hope they come back!!.</p>
<p>One highlight for me personally was a “10 day road trip” I took in April. I went to visit one BIL and family, then went to Winston-Salem for three days of concerts and programs with DS (and a friend who came up and met me). THEN drove to Atlanta burbs where I stayed with a former neighbor and had my first meeting with Binx. Then to Columbia SC to see my maid of honor…then back to Maryland…then to Phili to see a good friend. Then home…whew.</p>
<p>I did a similar road trip in June with a friend. I’ve decided that these little trips are just too much fun to forego and I hope that 2010 will give me the opportunity to go on at least one or two trips.</p>
<p>Oh…another highlight…my 40th high school reunion. It was three days of non-stop fun.</p>
<p>I was at a friend’s house last night for New Year’s Eve and each named the best moment in 2009. One high school senior said, “Finishing all college applications.” We all said, “Amen.”</p>
<p>My son got into his reach school. Watching his ebullient jubilation upon getting the “large envelope” is a memory I will hold forever.
Since there were many a snarky comment about him getting into his school, earning straight A’s his first semester was sweet for him.</p>
<p>Obama’s Inaugaration.
Our 26th Wedding Anniversary get-away.
Discovered 2 buck chuck near my D’s dorm.
My D finished her first year at college.
Discovered my creative side through beading, making jewelry and beaded patterns, then started my own business.</p>
<p>Very Happy…yes you are one of the families we met and we EXPECT you to come back this summer…maybe it will be warm enough and nice enough to go to the lake (this past summer was icky).</p>
<p>We had two others who actually stayed here!!</p>
<p>The first moment of seeing my son again every time I hadn’t seen him for a while. And giving him a big hug.</p>
<p>Waking up after my surgery after the end of June and being told that the operation had been successful. (The fact that there ended up being all sorts of complications doesn’t detract from that memory!)</p>
<p>My son and a friend of mine driving all the way up to Montreal to see me when I was so sick, a day or two before I was taken to the emergency room from the recovery clinic, and the nurse coming into my room and saying, “your son is here, do you want to see him?,” and the happiness I felt when he walked into the room. It was a complete surprise; I had no idea he was coming.</p>
<p>The love and kindness and support I got from so many people here, and on the other message board I participate in, when things were at their worst. This place was a true lifeline for me.</p>
<p>Arriving at Mt. Sinai in New York by ambulance from Montreal, and seeing my son there in the E.R. waiting for me, and having the feeling that everything was going to be OK.</p>
<p>The day I finally went home from the hospital.</p>
<p>2009 was a terrible year for us and we only hope that 2010 is better: my cancer diagnosis, my mother’s declining health and death, multiple major appliance failures, my D’s auto mishap. I’m sure there must have been good times, but the bad ones predominate.</p>
<p>My fondest memory of 2009 - our last teenager finally became a grown up! She really enjoyed her Christmas break with her parents and did not have a single hissy fit :)</p>
<p>Being with lots of family in New Orleans sharing the experience together–my “Katrina kid” and all his classmates were graduating from Tulane. In the Super Dome. Completely joyous. The most meaningful graduation I could imagine.</p>
<p>It warms my heart to hear that Obama’s inauguration was a high pooint for so many of you. I live, work and go to church among Republicans. I stayed home from work that day so I could enjoy the moment in my own home, rather than enduring the snide comments of those watching it in the work break room.</p>
<p>The reason I didn’t include Obama’s inauguration on my list was because when I posted I was really only thinking of events in my family. I had the day off and celebrated with a basement full of happy teens. So nice to see them so excited. And missypie we would have invited you had we known :).</p>
<p>Obama’s inauguration was one–so glad to see many others mention it. We’ve had a very bad and very good 2009. The best is our son recovering from a very serious illness. And our daughter happily working successfully towards her goals. May 2010 continue to bring blessings.</p>
<p>ONE of the best things were taking our D off to start her dream U after a very rought time in HS & 3 semesters of local CC. Even better, having a loved one go from stage 4 to stage 1 cancer. She’s now talking about travel and is now planning to attend our S’s graduation (people originally told us prognosis is pretty dire for stage 4).</p>
<p>In the 1st week of 2010, S got his 1st full-time job offer for after his spring graduation!</p>
<p>Oh yeah, getting 3 more years of funding for my non-profit was another happy milestone (tho we were turned down for more grants than we received).</p>