casting shadows, lasting footprints

this time of year is so inspirational to me. it is a time to reflect on my life, where i've been and where i'm going. dreams found and new hopes born. did i cast long shadows of joy and leave lasting footprints of inspiration in 2010? did i challenge myself to be a better person and to grow in new ways? where did i succeed . . . or fail? here's a quick peek at my scorecard for 2009:

blogging continued to be a big source of joy and a soulful creative outlet for me in 2009, allowing me to spread my wings and soar to new creative heights with my poetry, writing and photos.

photography -- i realized my dream of owning a nikon camera and have relished the challenge of photographing interesting subjects and altering them in photoshop.

i had a goal of dropping 15 pounds in 2009 but alas i weigh at least 15 pounds over what i weighed on this day a year ago. i guess that just means that my shadow is wider than it used to be.  hee hee

i joined facebook and twitter. facebook i enjoy. twitter not so much!

my dream of selling prints of my art was realized early in 2009 when i bought my epson r1900 printer. love it!!!

for 2 years in a row i've set a goal of being published in a craft or art magazine like somerset news or cloth, paper, scissors. and for the 2nd year in a row, i failed. i didn't even submit anything for consideration. maybe 2010 will be my year!!!

in the fall of 2008 i promised myself that i would do anything in my power to keep presley as happy and comfortable as possible for as long as possible. i learned a lot about myself and what i'm capable of during the process of caring for him in 2009. the toughest lesson of all was that sometimes the best way to love is to let go. i still miss him every day and in that i continue to learn and grow.

we were blessed with a third grandchild in march -- benjamin matthew. i'm still amazed by my heart's ability to love so deeply. and, i can't imagine a better way to cast shadows and leave lasting footprints than with my grandchildren.

each of you has played your own unique role in spurring my creativity and growth in 2009. your sweet words of encouragement and support have been the wind beneath my wings. your blog posts are a constant source of inspiration. and your friendship has cast loving shadows and lasting footprints on my heart, dear friends. my cup runneth over!

goodbye 2009. hello 2010, a new year of hope, peace, love and joy. here i come!