As 2009 winds down, I take stock of the year and how my life is different now than it was one year ago.

2009 took no one, thank G-d. We are all together. I am thankful for that….

Lynda and I have our jobs……We are thankful for that….

Lyn and I vacationed for one week this summer on Long Beach Island on the Jersey Shore. I had never had a shore vacation. It was a wonderful, relaxing time. Howie, Genna, and Josh spent time w/us. Dan was on his cruise ship in the Mediterranean. We missed him. That week supplied Lynda and I with fond memories for like. We are thankful for that.

Lyn and I are going to be grandparents for the 1st time. Imagine that. A new life. Howie and Genna will now be parents. Our grandchild is fortunate to have them. They will be phenomenal parents. We are thankful for that……

Lyn and I spent 11 days in Italy, Greece, and Turkey. We spent that time with our middle son, Dan. He was a Youth Counselor on a Celebrity ship, the Solstice. Dan made the trip possible through his hard work, perseverance, and patience. He made it possible for me to see Europe for the first time in my life. I will never forget it. We are thankful to Dan for that….

Howie and Genna bought a home in Cherry Hill, NJ. It is a wonderful, warm home and they are happy there. It will be our grandchild’s home. We are thankful for that….

Howie is thriving in his professional life as an advertising executive. He was promoted this year. He enjoys his career. Genna is a dedicated, hardworking, excellent teacher. Her students are fortunate to have her as a teacher. Students always remember the good teachers. A lot of kids will remember Genna. We are thankful for that….

Dan has his Master’s Degree and now is working on his ship. He is seeing the world. Many places, many countries. He is meeting people and making friends for life. His is building his memories for life. We are thankful for that….

Josh is a Junior at Penn State. He is working hard and doing well. He is a fine man, which is not surprising because he was a fine child and teenager. He is smart, strong, kind and principled. We are thankful for that….

The Yankees won the World Series. What a season……what a Series. It was so much fun! We are thankful for that….

My Mom had a health scare, but came out fine. Diane, my sister, worked hard to help my Mom emerge. Thank you. Diane. I am thankful for that….

Lyn and I have one another, our children, our loved ones, our home, our friends. I do not know what 2010 has in store for us. I can only pray that it will be good; but 2009 was good and we are thankful for that.