December 31, 2008 9:30 PM

I suppose that I should make this entry at midnight to formally close out the year at the last possible moment. However, nothing exciting is going to happen between now and then as my wife and I are at home alone with planned for company being unable to make it here because of today's snow.

Thank God 2008 is coming to a close. Besides the real estate and economic issues that affected all of us, our family had experienced near death illnesses, a severe auto accident, a death, and concluded the year with my illness - that's the downside. Pretty heavy stuff! Good events included the fact that the near death illnesses were that and nothing more (everyone is healthy now); my mother-in-law moved to a much better assisted living facility; and my wife and I went on a wonderful cruise with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law just before I was diagnosed with leukemia. In fact, the cruise actually helped to speed up the diagnosis because the others saw how I struggled at times to catch my breath and pleaded with me to see a doctor immediately upon our return. Because the disease had not had time to really put me in a debilitated state, I was best able to handle the 2 rounds of chemotherapy that I had to undergo at year's end.

However, the real blessing and high point for me this past year has been each one of you who have so faithfully kept me in your thoughts and prayers. As I have said before, it is very humbling to think that so many of you are concerned about my welfare. Words cannot express how appreciative I am and a simple thank you just does not seem to go far enough.

With the cancer in full remission at this point, I look to 2009 as the real start back to full recovery as the bone marrow transplant will take place early in the year and - according to the books - it will take another a year before I can get completely back on my feet. It will be interesting to see what my entry will be for December 31, 2009!

I want to wish each and everyone of you a happy, HEALTHY, and prosperous new year.

Gotta run back to the wild bash that's going on and see if I can stay awake until midnight!

May God bless you all!

Bob