As another January begins, I'm left with some sweet memories and some of the bi-polar low of the season's end.  I do love the act of giving and Christmas is such a great time of year to acknowledge how grateful I am to the people in my life.  I really would rather give than receive - the whole process is just so much fun.  But I believe it's an art to do both well - give and receive.  And it's important for us to do both.  We learn about each other through these acts.  Reflecting upon the last week or two of tremendous generousity of friends, family and clients, I am touched by such graciousness and abundant hearts.  Aren't we blessed?

I think about the amazing gifts I was given... and my most favorite was a book that my mother (Loie) put together - a collection of my family photos over the past year.  It must contain 80 pictures.  Lucky for us, Loie has taken up photography as her retired hobby , although I think she is semi-pro by now.  She's the president of the regional photography club and she must have over $20,000 on photography equipment.  Above all she has a keen and intutive eye.  Her photos are stunning.  My children have become her muse, and we have so many wonderful memories captured on film.

Please be clear, I am not a scrapbooking woman.  It's just not my thing.  But I want as badly as the next Mom to have memories preserved and kept for my family and especially my children as they grow.  For someone to put that all together (painstakingly time-consuming) - and in such a beautiful way - well it's a beautiful thing.  A gift to remember a year in the life of my family and also an artistic tribute to my mom's time and talent.  Thanks Mom.  I love you so much.

My second favorite gift (given to the whole family) was a book called 'Sunshine on My Shoulders'.  Complete with a CD containing the John Denver song.  I'm not sure why, but when I opened it (it was from my most favorite cousin... Ninita) tears sprang to my eyes.  John Denver seeped into my consciousness after he died - sadly.  I love his music - it's simplicity and pure beauty.  Just recently, we all sat down and watched the PBS special on his life, so the girls know all about him.  The book is lovely in everyway and speaks to where I'm at right now in my life.  How did you know, Ninita?  As always, you just get it.  I'm so glad you're in my life...thank you.

Here's to more love, peace and light in 2009. 

I just listened to our President, Barack Obama, give his inauguration speech.  It was the most inspiring, intelligent and loving speech I've ever heard from a politician in the present moment. 

I'm stunned.  And I am hopeful.

What Obama seems to be able to do with ease is raise people up - all people - without tearing anyone down.  No small feat.  It's much easier to point fingers, blame and condemn.  He calls on each of us to take responsibility for our lives.  He is calling on us to take stock in how we spend our time, how we live in our communities and the choices we make for ourselves and our families.  I think... he's asking us to live with honor and dignity.  What a concept in our world as it is today - so many excuses and validations for not rising to the occasion and doing the right thing.

When I watch Obama, he radiates truth through his words (which is just insane, because, well, he's a politician).  You can tell he believes in the individual and the power of the collective.  He believes...  you can see it on his face.

Hard choices.  Work.  Humility.  Compassion.  My hope is that the we can live up to Barack Obama's belief of who we are.