Wherever I am, you are there with me.....

Today we celebrated a new year with friends and family everywhere, even ones who were not physically present. I brought out the old tablecloth that I have been using for the last 3+ years for such parties and get togethers and was amazed to realize how old it really is. I think the first time we used this one was January 2007 (there are others that are older), but this is one that spans students I taught, fellow grad students, birthdays, graduations, Thanksgivings, Christmas....you name it. I realized that reading these names and messages from all these people over the last few years brings them again into my life for a special day, even when they aren't physically present. It's a huge tablecloth (the one we bought to put on the ping pong table in the activity room of our old apartment building) and has room for so many more names and holidays and just for fun BBQ New Year's/Nelson's birthday potlucks. We guesstimate there were probably around 40 people who came today plus one dog...my friend, Sophia, brought her family, including her huge Belgian shepherd named Caesar. Beautiful animal. It was the best beginning to a new year that we have had in a long time and we loved it. THANK YOU to everyone, past and present, who has contributed to the wonderful memories we've made in our lives! Photos on Facebook soon. Good night and Happy New Year!!