2008 in Review MeMe

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Attended criminal court proceedings.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I kept them all, but I don't know that I'm in the mood to come up with any for next year. I feel like my life is in a holding pattern right now.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nobody close to me gave birth. However, nine different friends all conceived within 4 to 6 weeks of Jim's passing. Of the nine, 8 are having boys.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
You would have to be blind and dumb not to know the answer to this question...

5. What countries did you visit?
Sadly my plans to travel anywhere this year were all usurped.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
The love of my life back in my arms, but seeing as this is beyond impossible to grant I will settle for knowing that ALL of the responsible parties will never see the light of day outside a prison wall again.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 10th because that was the last day I saw Jim alive. The last time he held me in his arms and kissed me goodbye. The last time I heard his voice on the other end of the line.

July 21st because that was the day the officers told me that they had positively identified Jim. He had been found. But it wasn't the outcome we had all so hoped for.

August 27-29th because these were the days of the arrest of the responsible parties.

October 12th because that was the day I lost my last grandfather.

November 18th because that was the day the Judge told the responsible parties that there was enough evidence in her opinion (the only opinion that truly matters) to make sure that they do not leave their cells until trial. To hold them as prisoners as they've held my life captive with their actions.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting up and going to work every day through this ordeal. Even if I didn't always make it through the entire day, I never once called in sick.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to see it coming.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No major injuries this year (thank goodness). But I have suffered plenty of depression and grief this year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A hardcover book I designed full of Jim's pictures.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My mother's. She has been there every second of the way. She drove me down to Colorado and up every little dirt road in a hundred mile radius. She sat through the autopsy reports. She held my hand when they entered the courtroom. She's been my hero and my confidant and there is no way I will ever be able show her enough gratitude.

The Canon City Police and Sheriffs departments and detectives. Without their diligence and support we wouldn't be where we are today.

All the other individuals, attorneys, and departments who have all worked so hard to assist the other departments.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Kristin Traedge Durgan, Andrew "Andy" Tanner, and Brian Folsom. For robbing Jim of his life. For robbing us of our future. For robbing Bethie and Andrew of their futures with their father.

14. Where did most of your money go?
To traveling to Colorado.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My future with Jim. We were so very excited. We had such big plans for the coming year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Gift:


17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder. 100 times sadder.
b) thinner or fatter? Thinner. 4 sizes thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer. Poorer in spirit.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
I wish I would have been able to take more pictures and to not have to have turned down so many family sittings this year... but sadly I just didn't have it in me to be out with people and smiling on the other side of the camera. I just didn't have it in me to fake happiness and that would show through my pictures.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Crying I suppose. But then every tear falls for a reason, so perhaps that is a pointless wish.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my family and the kiddos.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Every day for 366 days (there was an extra day with the leap year)... I love him more and more with each passing day... even the ones I have had to live without him.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy still takes the cake.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
See the answer to number 13.

24. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot of gemstone and crystal books this year. A few afterlife books. Some medium books... but I can't say that one sticks out in particular... in fact they all just kind of start to blur together.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That playing my flute still is refreshing for my soul. And after 22 years of playing it still rejuvenates my spirit.

26. Where did 26 go?

27. What did you want and not get?
My fairytale ending.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Any of the films I saw with Jim.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 30 and we spent the weekend enjoying my birthday... lots of eating... lots of snuggling and huggling...

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If Jim would have made the flight he was schedule to come home on in July.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I got up and out of bed every day. Anything beyond that was purely a bonus for those around me... there were days when everyone was probably lucky I didn't come to work in yoga pants and a t-shirt... okay... there were days that was what I went to work in... not very fashion forward this year.

32. What kept you sane?
The constant pursuit for justice and safety of those Jim loved so dearly.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Public what? I really didn't follow anything outside of my own personal drama.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
As sad as it is, and don't tell the Young Republican's adviser I had in high school, I really didn't get into the political arena much this year. But now that my head is clearing a bit more I have to say I'm very intrigued by Caroline Kennedy's bid for New York Senate... I'm all for a return to Camelot.

35. Who did you miss?
Jim. Always Jim. Forever Jim.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Kim. She truly has been a godsend through all of this. She's compassionate, caring, involved, and consistent!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Life is short. You never know when the one you love is going to walk out the door and never return back through it, so make sure you hold them a second longer before you let them go and enjoy every moment you have in their presence... and make sure they know how much you love and appreciate them... even if you start to sound like a broken record... I know I did.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.