First post of 2009

As I sit here at the end of the first day of a new year (actually it is after midnight so it is technically the second day) I am overwhelmed with gratitude. April and family arrived this evening and I got to sit and hold Lena in my lap, along with two (small) dogs, and love was flowing in all directions. Tomorrow Randy and family are scheduled to arrive and the Brown Christmas celebration will begin to pick up steam heading into the crescendo of gift opening and prime rib lunch on Saturday. When it comes to the blessings of family I feel like the world's richest man!

Rita and I celebrated very mildly our 45th anniversary last Saturday night as we had a steak dinner at Lytle's in Abilene on our return from three lovely nights at the cottage at Providence Point. Perhaps it is positive that our sense of contentment with our marriage relationship made us feel that some more 'extravagant' celebration was not called for. We do plan a long cruise in a few days as our anniversary gift to each other. Thinking of spending three weeks just the two of us together is a very pleasant gift to anticipate. Our lives 'at home' are wonderful so there is really no need to 'get away' from anything but relaxing together is great to contemplate. Thank you Rita for surrounding me with an abundance of love and all other things really worth having.

'Richly blessed' will be my theme for 2009 and hopefully the rest of my pampered existence. God is good, all the time.

Love to all of you. I look forward to watching each one continue to blossom and grow into the beautiful blessings each one was created to be.

Dale, Dad and Grandpa