42 years

I can hardly believe that its been more than a month since my last post--and so much has happened. So much in fact that the few times I've sat down to write, I ended up feeling overwhelmed.

I turned 42 on the 19th of December. Having a birthday triggers me to reflect on the year that I have had as well as the important relationships that are in my life. I have so many people to be thankful for, some of whom are alive right now and others who have passed on, all of whom have effected my life in different ways.

I wish I could have a conversation with my father and ask him what he thinks about this last year. He passed away about 13 years ago, he was a Vietnam Vet who didn't talk much about politics-or his military service--or really anything--he wasn't a big talker. I look at pictures now and wonder what was going on at the time and what the rest of the story is--but know that I will never really know. I can remember grumblings about the distrust of government and that we should mind our own country's business before we get involved with another's. I really don't know if he ever voted--if he was even registered to vote as a Democrat or a Republican. I do know that we would have some interesting conversations if he were around now--local politics, global politics and everything in between--at least I would hope so. He taught me a great deal of respect for rules and obedience, I wonder what he would think of my independence.

My mom is framing a picture for my birthday that we discovered of my grandfather in the Farmington, New Mexico newspaper as he is being sworn in as a town trustee in 1964. Had we not come across the yellowed newspaper by accident I would have never known about his service on the town council. I was proud to see him standing there--and wonder what was going through his mind at the time.

This has been a huge year for me and has provided me with some sure footing for next steps as 2010 begins. Having a birthday close to Christmas and the end of the year provides for some real assessment--and I have learned from every experience and am eager for the new year to bring more.

I am so glad to have great friends and many, many new acquaintances. I am sad to have lost some old friends too this year, but as I grow older that is something that just seems to be a part of life as we grow and change.

This time next year will be a big one for "independence"---an election will have passed and we may have elected La Plata County's first independent commissioner, a lawsuit will hopefully have been decided and a bill in the state legislature will have become law or at the very least, raised an awareness of the need for less partisan politics---especially as elected officials.

It is my plan to start organizing independents in the state of Colorado and working to provide an organization---not another party---that can be mobilized to support issues as well as candidates that don't seem to want to fit into an out of date mold. I have decided that for sure, no matter what happens with the lawsuit or the legislation its time to provide another choice and another way of solving our problems by working together.

Hope you had a great year, I wouldn't change a thing about mine--it was one to remember for sure!