The 2009 end of the year letter

This is a first for me but I wanted to acknowledge some high and low points of my year. It has been a turbulent year for me. So I thought it was appropriate to thank a few people who were instrumental this year.
As some of you know this year has not been the best year for me, I have struggled with some low periods and as a result my health has not been fantastic. As we near the end of the year I am looking forward; forward to growth and positive change.
I have had some great moments throughout the year, which deserve to be celebrated. I traveled to a Spain, France and Italy, they have all been on my list for years, I shot a wedding in Egypt, I spent some fantastic time with my friends in the summer, and I ran my first ½ marathon. As well as a busy wedding season and a flourishing portrait business.  I am truly grateful for all the positives that 2009 brought.
I do have to say that although I had some great times I am ready to see 2009 go. I look forward to a new year with hope, optimism, and am striving for balance and good health.
This is my time to acknowledge some of the amazing people that I had in my life over the year, some new some old but all of them touched me to some degree throughout the year.

This is my list of gratitude:

Tanya, Daniela and Leeanne- thank you for listening, supporting and always being there for me in tough times as well as the good times, including the wine filled evenings! You are the best friends anyone could ask for!
Mom- thank you for being you, someone I can turn to and know that I am always accepted.
Dad- thanks for supporting me no matter what
To my nieces- they always are able to make a dark day seem bright, I am truly blessed to have them in my life
Kathy- thank you for being the sister I never had
Chad- thank you for being my brother, who is an amazing father and friend
Carla, Janet, Rose, Rhonda, Melanie, Tracey- you all have in your own way truly helped me get through some of the difficult times and shown me what friendship means through the good and the bad
Jen- thanks for being a great roomie
Annalisa- for always being there to shimmer
Chandra- you will always be my sister in law, thanks for being there as a friend
Chris- thanks for being an awesome assistant and a great shoulder to lean on
Scott- thanks for sharing a brief period of time with me, you opened my eyes to the possibility
Damon- thanks for being the other opinion
Anne- thanks for listening and advice, also thank you for letting me be your POPP
Jordan- for showing me that an ending does not have to be the end
Mark- for giving me a place to sit and reflect

I know there may be some people I have missed and if I did by no means was it intentional. I thought the list was going to be short but I realize that I am truly blessed to have some amazing people in my life this last year.
I wish you all a beautiful new year; full of brightness, happiness and most of all, love.
Bring on 2010, I am ready!!!
Kari