But not quite.  2009.  It seems like such a big deal, with so many hopes and heartaches waiting in the anticipation.  As though the trees are whispering of winds yet to rustle their branches even while they ready their roots for decay.  Birds preparing in winter for nests they may not find in spring - but the worms seem so abundant already.  The soil is black as soot.  How better to plant new crops?  Just remember to feed more than is consumed ... commit yourself to supply the demands.  Then all things will prosper.  Right? 

The last few days of a dying year are comforting.  There's nothing left, it's over.  The guilding is gone, the broken promises and unkept resolutions are dust.  We can wallow because there's simply no reason to be strong anymore - not quite yet.  The real golden moments are within us, captured as snapshots in our hearts.  We can embrace them because there's simply no reason to be afraid anymore - not quite yet.  362, 363, 364 days and nights of fun, frolic, fascination and fear are drawing to a tick-tock close.  Father Time.  Mother Nature.  It is our nature to seek time.  Whether we like it or not, it finds us - ready or not, here it comes.

365.  I'm almost ready.  But I have two more days to find the two breaths I lost in 2008.  One was taken without my consent ... I need to respect the loss.  The other was freely given ... I only wish to find it as to share it again. 

One more thing.  Thank you to every single one of you who has been a part of my TPM experience in 2008.  I'll look forward with love and joy to seeing you all in the year to come.

All my best in 2009,

Melissa