I always enjoy December 31. It’s a good time to reflect on the past year; not that I wallow, gloat, or in any way live in my yesterdays, but I like to take stock and examine things with my feet planted firmly in the present, but imagining the future in relation to the past.

I remember challenges; successes; road-blocks; different personalities; conversational threads swirling, mixing, coalescing, and dissipating; food (and beverages); fireplace chats; laughter; new stories; old stories (heard a thousand times by some, but for the first time by others); and a toast to one no longer with us.

Priceless memories.

I enjoyed 2011, and wish everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful New Year.