My goals in 1998 for 2008 were to have a new job - done. Make a lot more money - done, but not enough.
My biggest goals were to graduate both boys from high school with...
- no sexually transmitted diseases - done, I'm pretty sure!
- no incarcerations for more than 30 days, none - not even an arrest!
- no children - none!
- no addictions - none -- and continuous warnings of a predisposition to alcoholism.
That was my job and I'm done, everything else they accomplished was their own. Though neither has graduated from college yet, I'm still hopeful they'll finish. I'm very proud of them both, they are good people and will lead good lives, taking good care of their families.
I've got a lot to do in the next ten years. I have to stay healthy because they don't deserve to lose another parent too early. I have to get my finances in order because I don't want to be poor. I'm nine credits into this master's degree, so it would be good to finish - and keep the 4.0 I've got going so far.
I'd like to move to a warmer climate and hope the boys won't be too far away so that we can always be together at holidays. I hope to go to Paris or Rome or both. I'd like to visit Las Vegas and Honolulu too. I would really like grandchildren, and I'd like to still have my parents around. They are 76 and 78 now, and going strong! I'd like my brother to get his act together - that would certainly increase the life expectancy of mom and dad. One thing I learned during his past rehab was the serenity prayer and I greatly respect and rely on it:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
I'd add strength to that too, because it's hard to make changes. But here we go... and here's to a great 2008!
