<a href="http://www.glitter-graphics.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1009/1009750wmyy9m33p7.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a><br /><br />At the Dawn of 2009<br /><br />Last year is finally over,<br />And I’m glad to see it done,<br />I could see disaster looming,<br />When the first week had begun.<br /><br />In a freakish winter storm,<br />On the 4th day of the year,<br />A huge tree fell from heaven,<br />And I felt my Maker near.<br /><br />It wreaked havoc with my van,<br />And gave me quite a fright,<br />But I guess the Lord decided,<br />To spare me for another fight&#33;<br /><br />As the year drew to a close,<br />San Francisco fell apart,<br />And many city workers,<br />Got news that gave us all a start.<br /><br />The mayor’s news dismayed us,<br />And brought us to our knees,<br />No money left for presents,<br />Or buying Christmas trees,<br /><br />There were a few bright moments,<br />In a year of bad and sad,<br />My youngest finished college,<br />And my journeys made me glad.<br /><br />My cherished friends enrich me,<br />But for them, I’d shrivel and die,<br />Always there, regardless of my mood,<br />If I’m laughing or need to cry.<br /><br />And my sons, in spite of the teasing,<br />Are the greatest young men alive,<br />I am terribly proud of them all,<br />They truly do help me survive.<br /><br />I hate the change before me,<br />The job loss and pain at my age,<br />After 21 years of service,<br />It truly does fill me with rage.<br /><br />I will pray for the grace to endure,<br />To remember that others bear more,<br />And hope that life holds promise,<br />Behind an opening door.<br /><br />Carmen Henesy<br /><br />  <br />Copyright © 2008 Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved. <br /><br /><br />Hi Gang....<br /><br />Worked yesterday and have been on call ever since - till work tomorrow...then on call till 11PM tomorrow night...I&#39;m looking forward to Saturday off.  I didn&#39;t go out last night.  Was supposed to<br />go to Enrico&#39;s on Broadway in SF to hear my jazz singer friend, Sony Holland, but was just too tired<br />after work...hope all had a great start to 2009.<br /><br />Thanks for always being there for me.  You add so much to my life.