The New Year

So, it's a new year.

Last year turned out to be a pretty good one, although I have even higher hopes for this one. I have to admit, 2005 didn't start out very well. I was in a job that had turned sour, and I had along with it. The large media corporation at which I was working had just put the company I worked at under the power of new management. Because my brother was in a position of power at the same company, these corporate weasels wisely determined that I would be target number one in their efforts to take full control. Alienating him from his allies, starting with me, was something they had already undertaken by the end of 2004 and by January of 2005, our relationship was worse for the wear. My brother and I have always been very close. We have always loved each other, but treating each other with the respect and love that we feel has always been a challenge for us in close quarters. We have been competitive, argumentative and, at times, brilliantly collaborative. (For a more complex, if cryptic take on our relationship, check out the poem I wrote about our relationship.) When the corporate weenies pitted us against each other, it caused both of us pain and grief that was almost too much to bear. Relief only came at the end of April when they let me go, at which point I was able to embark on a much needed sabbatical of sorts. I ended up spending most of the rest of 2005 getting my spirit, my body and my mind back into shape. I took the time to make new friends, to try dating and to think about what the best next step would be in my career.

As you already know, my attempts at dating have yet to result in a lasting relationship with the man of my dreams...although I am quite pleased that I have long passed the time in my life when I was willing to be with the man of my nightmares rather than to be alone. Today, my spirit is much lighter and; my body and mind are both profoundly more vigorous, thanks to my time off. As for my career, I have just started a new job that I love. I have a boss that values, trusts and respects me. I work with a team of talented professionals, with whom I intend to do great things. And finally, I am being paid a wage that allows me to pay all of my bills, including the mortgage on the house I bought at the end of 2004, which I love. In addition, I did manage to forge a few new friendships this year, which makes my life a better place. Happily, my brother and I have come a long way towards mending our relationship. If all that weren't enough, my brother and his wife brought a new little girl into the world this summer, and she is the love of all of our lives. Finally, I am happy to report that my beloved dog, who is quite old, is still healthy enough to enjoy his food and my company.

Once again, I must marvel at my good fortune. It is sometimes difficult to remember that good times have always followed bad in my life. While it seems I'm on a good path at the moment, I hope to keep this in mind as difficult moments disrupt my life. But whatever happens in the future, I'm pleased to report that right now I am happy and loving life. I want to say that I hope the same is true for everyone else, but this sounds annoyingly optimistic, especially when some people have troubles I've never had the misfortune to endure. Instead, I will just be grateful for my own life and try each day to do what I can to make my life and the lives of the people I know just a little better and a little easier. Now that's a New Year's resolution I believe I can keep!

Happy New Year!

Love, alita.