2007 Reflection

As we look back on last year, I would like to thank my friends and clients who have made this year so special. What started as a dream in 2003 finally culminated this year as the business is now my ONLY full-time job (prior to August 2006 I had multiple full-time jobs! Yes, it's possible!).

My family and I moved into our second home, and first one in the Charleston area. Our house in Irmo sold three years to the date from when we bought it, and after our apartment lease ran out, we purchased our beautiful home here in Goose Creek.

Our son started school last year, and is a typical five-year old male: he's scatterbrained, he doesn't pay attention to detail, and all he thinks about is playing. Oh yeah, he's pretty smart too and loves to read, and seems to be artistically inclined. No telling what he is going to be when he grows up, as his interests change on what seems like a weekly basis.

My father died in 2007. It wasn't like we didn't see it coming, but nothing really prepared me to see my father's lifeless body in a hospital bed or in the casket. I can see it clearer today than I did back in July ... at the time everything was like a movie to which I was half-paying attention. I dream about my dad in those circumstances, and I seriously wish I could have just one dream where we're playing catch with ball and gloves or going fishing down at Pete Smith's pond or just sitting in the living room watching The Dukes of Hazzard (the show; yes, I'm that old to remember it new). I never wish for my dad to come back; why would I want him to return to a body that had heart disease, total kidney failure, smoke-damaged lungs, high blood pressure, near-total blindness, and leukemia? But I sure want to go to where he is. I want to "shed the sins and sorrows I have carried all these years." (Brad Paisley, When I Get Where I'm Going) As my body ages and starts to wear out, Heaven is a sweeter and sweeter reality. Eternal fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ... and all the ones who accepted the Lord and preceded me in death ... in addition to all the things that a new, perfect body will bring. And there are a lot of things I have to do before I go -- but you know, I really don't have to do them.

Rain and sunshine in 2007. More of both predicted for 2008. I'll try to do a better job of keeping the blogosphere informed as it happens instead of putting it all in one batch in my January 2009 posting. :)

This post was originally begun the day after Christmas on my notebook in a hotel room with a spotty wireless network. I ended up getting a few autosaves, but never got to post. It probably seems weird to do a "Year in Review" piece halfway into January, but I like to finish what I start.