Dear New Year:

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going-on with all the wisdom that experience can install in us.”

Hal Borland

Every year as we near the end, I think about the past 12 months, the successes, the failures, the people we’ve lost. I lost another Woman, the second female Hero aside from my Mother, who drove me to excellence, who believed in my human potential, Dr. Kathryn L. Kenders-McCreary. I miss her dearly and I’d like to believe, would be so proud of me today.

I lost Isabel, the one who loved me unconditionally, above all others, like my Mother, Dorothy Kenders. I held her during her last moments, as I listened to her cries of lament and pain.

Cancer is such a monster.

My father, David Russell Kenders, told me he had cancer in January and only a few months to live, but discovered his will to live and is actually better than ever!

I took on a job to make ends meet to feed my family. Such a disappointment it ended so poorly after pouring my life’s energy into taking a company from under $20M to $33M in less than 1 year, but no one thanked me and only demanded MORE hours, MORE work.

Got a black eye this year from one who loved me. Got a fractured arm, too.  What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Love you forever, M.L. may peace be a comforting place.

May light always surrounds you. Hope kindle and rebound you.

May your hurts turn to healing. Your heart embrace feeling again.

May wounds become wisdom. Every wisdom a prism.

May laughter infect you. Your passion resurrect you.

May goodness inspire your deepest desires.

Through all you reach for, may your arms never tire.

May you have the heart of courage, a mind of will and year of peace and contentment, new fortune and friends!

A new year is a blank book. The pen is in your hands. It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself.

Thank you, Will!

Please let me, my family, my colleagues, my clients, and my friends be just happy this time! Happy 2014 New Year!