My wishes for peace

I swear, this post will end on a positive!

Before that, though, a little reflection. Glenn and I were reminiscing and trying to decide which was worse for us - 2007 or 2008:

2007
Uncle Allen passes away
Failed IVF #3
Uncle Teddy passes away
Miscarriage/D&C from IVF #4
Mimi Anna (my grandmother) passes away

2008
Glenn's heart attack
Failed IVF #5
My multiple health scares (rheumatologist, hematologist, cardiologist)
Glenn's 4 angioplasty's
Failed IVF #6
Failed IVF #7
Our house officially on the market for almost 16 months

In the end, we've decided that it was a tie. Both years sucked.

But, don't get me wrong, there have been good things. Although it ended poorly, for a few weeks in 2007 it was wonderful to know that I was actually pregnant. This year, my mother got a kidney and a new lease on life. In this terrible economy, Glenn and I have both remained employed.

Also in 2008, I started this blog, and that definitely goes on the plus list. It has been a wonderful source of support for me and has given me the opportunity to "meet" and become virtual friends with so many of you. I just asked Glenn a question about 2007 and he realized what I was probably writing about and had the nerve to tell me (and, believe me, I told him it was nervy) that I shouldn't write this post because he felt that people don't want to always hear about misery. After telling him that he doesn't have to read it if he doesn't like what I'm posting, I realized that he is absolutely right. We are all tired of reading about each other's misery. If it was in our control, we would change it, not only for ourselves, but for everyone we know. I would like nothing more than to open everyone's blog tomorrow and read that they have been matched with a birth mother, successfully achieved a pregnancy, have no worries about a pregnancy ending badly, have given birth and brought their beautiful, healthy child home, and have no family, financial, employment, or other health problems.

But, that's not the reality of many of our lives. So, with everything I have in me, I thank you all for the support, encouragement, advice, suggestions, hugs, and love you have given me. And, the only resolution I will make this year is to continue being here for all of you into 2009 and beyond.

I am glad that 2008 is drawing to a close. Seriously, 2008, and its recent neighbor, 2007, can go to hell. I have no expectations of 2009, but, if I can be so bold as to hope for something, I wish for there to be Peace in the world, Peace in all of our families, and Peace in each of our individual hearts and souls.