The road to the airport was long and quiet. My sister and her family had been visiting us for the holidays and now sadly, it was time for them to leave. My nephew Victor sat in the front seat next to me as we drove along. With it being New Year’s Day, talk eventually turned to resolutions. I don’t normally like to make a big announcement out of my resolutions but when Victor turned his adorably large brown eyes in my direction and asked me what I had in mind for the new year, I had to give it up, but only if he told me his too. He vowed to be less annoying to his sister, I promised I was going to lose 10 pounds. He’s going to try to eat more vegetables, I’m not going to worry over things I can’t control. The one thing we both agreed on was spending more time with family – meaning less time playing video games for him, more Skypeing back east for me.

I hope all of you reading this have a wonderful 2011 and that you resolve to be kind and gentle with yourselves in the coming year.