Despite Many Trials in 2009 Here Are the Things I Am Thankful For

It's been a very rough year for me right from the start so before I get into what I am thankful for I'd like to share some of the more painful items that happened to me in 2009.

First, on January 2'nd at 1:05 my dog was put to sleep.

Now, I know that it was the right thing to do. He was 15 years old and couldn't walk any longer. He was losing his faculties and it was clear that his mind was starting to go also.

He had health issues for over half of his life but we always managed to pull him through. After all he did live to the ripe old age of 15 which is apparently almost unheard of with Boxers.

The only nagging thought that still torments me till today is whether or not, in his last conscious moments, if he felt that I betrayed him. It was extremely sad seeing him go and it still weighs heavy on my heart and no amount of logic is able to make it better.

The next thing that transpired in 2009 was that I was in a car accident with a Police Officer. Yes, you heard right, I was in a car accident with a cop.

What happened was that I was waiting to turn at a red light when all of a sudden I feel a very strong jolt.

I knew instantly what had happened but it was violent enough to where I didn't instantly get out of the car. I needed a few moments to collect myself.

The strange thing is that as soon as I felt the jolt I went to open my car door to see how bad it was but before I could get out I felt the need to sit back down in my seat.

I wasn't injured per se but the officer certainly rattled me pretty good.

Naturally the insurance company didn't think much of the damage to my car and the bought me off for a few shiny tokens.

I also lost my grandfather a few months ago but that's not something I want to talk about.

Well, enough with the sadness.

The things I am thankful for are as follows:

I'm thankful for my new puppy Rex. He's such a prankster with so much love to share. He can manipulate anyone and everyone. He was actually born on Thanksgiving 2008 so his first birthday is coming up pretty soon.

I'm thankful that I'm winning the war with the Chinese Stink Beatles that have attempted to make themselves at home in my home.

I still see one or two here and there but it's not like it was. The amount of foggers and other types of poisons that I ended up using was impressive to say the least.

I'm thankful that I'm starting to make some decent money again. Ok, maybe it's not decent just yet but I'm starting to see positive cash flow and that's always a good thing. I expect that the cash stream will be turning into a small river relatively soon.

I'm thankful that everyone in my immediate family is healthy. A few aches and pains aside there is nothing wrong with anyone, knock on wood.

I'm thankful that I myself am relatively healthy. I've got some sort of shoulder/nerve pain but it's something that my doctor and I are working on diligently.

I'm thankful for many other things that are important but not very noteworthy and would certainly be boring to the general public.

I hope that 2010 will bring better tidings then 2009 did.

I guess only time will tell.