Looking Back at 2008 for a Brief Moment

As I sat in my quiet home last night, and watched the ball drop and 2009 start I couln't help but reflect on 2008.

I spent most of the year listening to the candidates running for office on every news broadcast. It was an endless medley of this and that. I finally decided on the person whom I would cast my vote. I had strong debates with my family and friends about the person I thought would do the best job.

On election day I got ready for my husband to come home for work and pick me up to go to the polls. He was late. After pacing the room, numerous times, the phone rang and my husband called to tell me he had been rearended while waiting for the light to change at the end of our road. Well, after months of waiting to vote, I did not get the chance. 2008 had different plans for me. We spent the night trying to figure out how my husband would get to work the next day. The election became of very little importance after that night.

I have heard about the millions of people without health care and feel really bad for them. Six years ago my husband had his plant shut down and move to Mexico. He took a really early pension and managed to save his health care. At the end of 2008 I went in for some tests and found out that I have osteoporosis. I have been trying to deal with this the best I can.

The day before Christmas, we got a letter from our health insurance telling us that since my husband is going on Medicare, my payments will go up $250 a month to insure me. Well, since we are on a fixed income I will not be able to pay the high premium. I am joining the other 40 million people without health care starting in 2009.

On the whole, 2008 was a quiet year for me. I turned sixty and tried to be thankful every day for the blessings in my life. I tried to see everything around me in a joyful way. There is a lot that could be better financially, but I have my family and they are healthy. My husband didn't get injured in the accident which is a miracle, considering the car was hauled away for salvage.

2009 is looming ahead and I have fear about it. It is like a book with empty pages. Can I stay healthy? How will I pay medical bills? Will the people in this world find some peace? Will the new President be able to change the course of this country? Will people have the same hope a year from now that I saw in their faces on election night? Will the economy get stronger?

I will follow the path that 2009 sets down for me. I will live more frugally. I will continue seeing the real treasures, in this life, as my family and the support from friends. I will try to not be fearful. I will look back at the years past and try to keep their lessons close to me.

One thing I have learned in my sixty years is that I have very little control over what the New Year brings. I have to face each problem the best I can and be grateful for whatever blessings that come to me. Happy New Year to You All.