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Kiss Today Goodbye . . .

Not sure what musical those lyrics are from or even if I got them right - 'kiss today goodbye. the sweetness and the sorrow . . ." But that is the song I cannot get out of my head. Despite the fact that it's Christmas and there is a barrage of Christmas songs on the radio and stereo and everywhere. No Jingle Bells for me. Silent Night is mute. Oh Come All Ye Faithful has left my head. Instead the tune and words that keep playing are "kiss today . . ." or is it "THE day."

Whatever the correct words - the sentiment is one I am feeling deeply. It's not this day in particular that I wish to kiss adieu - but this year. 2010 cannot end soon enough for me. While there have been a few highlights - most of which I've blogged about - the low lights are what comes to mind when this Pollyanna thinks back on the year that was 2010.

Not only John's cancer - which colored nearly everything since he was diagnosed in February, but my sister Kelli's breast cancer as well. She was diagnosed just before Thanksgiving of 2009. We went into John's diagnosis and treatment with Kelli much on our hearts and minds. Thankfully, both John and Kelli are doing well and the overall outlook is good. Matthew's good friend, Kyle spent last Christmas and several weeks in the hospital recovering from open heart surgery.

With the success of the Saugatuck football team, I thought that at least we could go out of 2010 on a high note. But 2010 had other ideas . . .

Now, my dear friend Aimee is battling health demons. Just one week ago, struggling with the pain of what she thought was a severe migraine she went to the ER and within hours her world was turned upside down with the diagnosis of Chiari Malformation - while present since birth she only learned of it last week. She wanted to delay surgery - there were other options - but that was not to be. Tonight, she sleeps not-so-soundly at Holland Hospital awaiting surgery in the morning. She will spend Christmas in the hospital - I know it was something she wanted desperately to avoid. The overall prognosis is good - but why the hell does the road to a happy ending have to be so hazardous?

I am ready, oh so ready - to kiss this year goodbye. I know it's just a number and on January 1, 2011 that all the troubles, concerns and worries of 2010 won't go away - but in my mind it's really a new year. A new beginning.

So pucker up - and kiss it goodbye with me!

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