I am so done with this year. 2016 has perhaps been the toughest, most painful year of my life. With a few notable exceptions -- my daughter graduating with honors, and her subsequent new job at our local public library -- this has simply been a mindblowing, heartbreaking, exhausting year. I bet it's been rough for all of you as well.

Back in the day, my mom used to quote, "What doesn't kill me, makes me stronger." I've always had my doubts about that. But perhaps 2017 will prove her right.

Christmas was good. Not great, but it didn't suck. On Christmas eve my daughter and I were at Safeway. And we nearly collided with a lady who was practically the spitting image of Mom. I'd never seen her before. But everything about her was so like my mother, right down to the Mona Lisa smile she gave me...I did something I never do. I ditched my shopping cart and ran out of there. (I hope she wasn't offended).

During our prime rib dinner, Dad told me how he'd recently found a recording of Mom's voice. It was from her very first doctor's appointment two years ago, when the worsening pain in her left leg forced her to do something she really disliked -- consulting a physician. It was shortly after this initial appointment that her kidney failure came to light. But on that day, she was still herself. Bright, engaged, questioning, and ready to face any challenge. If nothing else, she was brave. Brave to the very end.

Please, Lord, grant that this new year might be kinder to us all.