[Dance-with-me]

I am so very grateful:

To be finally, just today, back in my home.

To be at the end of a difficult year, transitioning out of a marriage I should have never been in, but that brought me my grandchildren and allowed me to fulfill my dream of parenting a child.

For my grandchildren: For C., 17, who trusts me enough to talk to me about some things that too many kids - young adults? - never talk about with the adults in their lives, and for her willingness to share an obsession with roller derby with her grandmother of all people. For "Chase", 6, my beloved baby butch, the child who has given me the gift of my life's dream of being loved unconditionally by a child. And for B., 4 months, who I don't really know very well yet but who I'm really looking forward to getting to know - and who will certainly need her Abuela to babysit soon.

For the aluminum Christmas tree that belonged to my beloved Granny, under which I opened my gifts for many of my first Christmases through the mid-60's, and under which my grandchildren will open some gifts tomorrow -- and for the comfort in knowing that they had the chance to meet their great-great-grandmother before she passed. I love the thought that something of my Granny might live on in my grandchildren.

For old friends and new ones, both equally precious to me, and the realization just today that my life is surrounded by and deeply infused with love.

For a job that pays the bills, even when money is tight, and that satisfies my soul, even when the bosses try to suck our souls dry.

For a home that is far too big for one person and so can easily welcome and shelter so many who I love.

To finally have the ability to accept the things I cannot change and change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

To realize, much to my delight, that when I'm not letting myself get mired in other people's drama, I'm actually a very easy-going, optimistic, and positive person. And that makes me very, very happy.

For 2013 and all of its possibilities and new beginnings for me.