The last night of the year. As usual new year’s has me reflective and introspective, and somewhat sad. Matt and I put the children to bed (Gracie in her new sleeping bag from QB, on top of her bed!) and then I made dinner – a delicious rack of lamb from Savenor’s which we had with a beautiful 1975 Medoc that Eric gave us last week. And homemade brownie sundaes for dinner. Yum.
I will keep details until everything is final, but big changes coming up for the Mead-Russell family. 2007 is going to be a year of transition, changes, new opportunities. This fall, and the process at Providence, has raised a lot of issues and questions for me. I realized that I’ve lost sight of ME in the past few years; my identity as myself has been subsumed by that as mother, wife, employee, board member, etc. I need to find some ways to get the essential LEM back. Working on it. I am optimistic, at least on some fronts. Picture above is in honor of that effort. Many thanks to those who offered wise counsel and patient listening as I worked through the pros and cons of this Providence opportunity. Ultimately, providence intervened – I will provide details as soon as I am able.
So, goodbye to a good year, a year with some upheaval and much status quo. And we open the door on a new year, sure to have more changes and less status quo. As we know, the only constant in this world is change. The challenge for me is to learn to embrace it. And so much love to those who are dearest to me – you know who you are.

“Never travel in a line if you want an education.” – Reynolds Price, The Surface of Earth

“Ah, I have asked for too much, I plainly see.” – Ovid, The Loves

“Her life stayed closer to the skin than most people’s.” – Alan Gurganus, Blessed Assurance

“Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.” – Danny Kaye