DEAR 2008,

i'm sorry that i am a few days behind but i am writing to say goodbye. this might come as quite a shock, but honestly speaking we all saw it coming. there are parts of you i will miss and parts i most certainly will not. but all in all, i think we did rather well together- even if i did spend most of my time with you, confused.

i did want to thank you for the precious time you gave me with so many wonderful friends. even though the time in boston ran out- i will cherish every last second you gave me there. i miss it dearly and i have made 2009 promise me a few trips back. you also had the foresight to give me more in-depth moments with my good friend andrea healy who's time you knew was growing short. i will hold that season in my heart forever. thank you for giving me that.

you also reunited me with my family and your remaining few months with them were happy ones. playing with nieces and nephews, taking trips with family and making memories with them that will last a lifetime. you were good and smart to do that for me.

i remember you bracing me for change in the beginning. your subtle hints that life was about to change and that you would be a big part of that. you held me steady as i slowly came to all the necessary conclusions about where to take my life and what to do next. it was terrifying and frustrating but it didn't take me long and before i knew it- my life plan had been altered. and surprisingly enough, i was actually ready for change- excited.

do you remember my surprise,though, when i found out that i wouldn't be moving to LA as soon as i once had thought? do you remember how scared i was when i found out that i would be moving to utah to give a kidney to my little sister? you were so good to me then and time slowed down so that i could enjoy life before i would be laid-up or a while. i was silly to be mad at you about that at the time. i didn't realize that those slow moments would mean the world to me as i had incredible experiences, met new life-long friends and gained more confidence in myself and my talents. i'm so sorry that i doubted and complained and questioned. i hope at least this lesson is learned and i won't give 2009 such a hard time.

these last few months together have been hard, yes. i don't mean to blame you and i am so sorry that i couldn't wait to be done with you. but you know as well as i do that it was time to move forward. to take all the lessons you taught and try out the newer, stronger "muscles" in 2009.

thank you for the growth 2008. thank you for the memories. thank you for being a part of my life. i will miss you, but i look forward to 2009 with all of the hope and energy to make it better than what we had together. and i know you want that for me.

yours truly,
peggy