Daniel. Every day of every year, I fall more deeply in love with this man. I don't know how I got so lucky. He is everything, and I am filled with gratitude to be the woman he wants to share his life with.
Us. Together...we've changed the world, and I am so proud of what we accomplish.
This lady and her incredible smile, her love and her sense of humor, all the things that make her Rachel.
This boy. His strength and stamina, his stubborn refusal to let cancer beat him. His wit and laugh. That he got his diagnosis when he lived in Michigan so that Daniel and I could help him through this journey. The nurses and doctors at who took such good care of him throughout the original battle with leukemia and the team that got him through transplant. That someone very noble and generous beyond words donated bone marrow so that DJ could live. Every time I think of it, I get tears of gratitude in my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you, whoever you are.
Myself. How I've survived (at least so far!) the endless, heavy stress and turbulence of a very difficult year, following two other very difficult years in a row. How I've learned and grown and become more of the person I want to be.
Happy memories. I have so many, a veritable wealth.
Learning to get up early so I can see (and capture) beautiful sights like this one.
Snow. Even little bits like this, and the half inch or so that fell this morning, make me happy.
Starbucks. Enough said.
Them. Who they were, what they were, helped make me who and what I am.
Michigan. This place I live is so full of natural beauty that consistently takes my breath away.
Scrapbooking. Although I haven't had as much time for memory-keeping as usual this year, I have developed my style and a process that really works for me. Preserving memories and expressing myself creatively makes me a happy LaLa.
My best friend's triumph over cancer. She is amazing, and I'm so proud of her.
The support and understanding from my friend Janet and other friends and family too numerous to mention.
Even in the darkest days, life is good, and I'm glad there's an opportunity to recognize and celebrate that.
