.
Time keeps on tickin'.....

After all that's happened in 2003, the passage into 2004 was calm by comparison. With Greer in the mix, Alex and I are busy trying to establish a schedule that allows for as much sleep as possible. That being said, our New Year's celebration was a big plate of spahgetti, a documentary, two episodes of South Park and an early bedtime.

So....here's to 2003. I didn't raise a glass, but I'm glad to put this one to bed. It's been a personally exhausting year with changes that will resonate for some time.

The passing of my wonderful grandmother...
Moving into our first house...
My mother's struggle with breast cancer...
The birth of my firstborn son...

A year such as 2003 is like a pomegranate. A singular entity filled with hundreds of sweet suprises - and the occasional tough seed.

I've stuggled with fear and doubt - like never before.

Fear of death and birth. The passing of my grandmother and the birth of Greer spoke volumes on the subject of family. I saw Baba in a diffferent light. One that lay outside of the boundries of "grandmother" - and looked at the person and her humanity. The birth of Greer reaffirmed my faith in the divine. From him, we will learn a new language - and he will learn ours.

Doubts about my country and social system. The war in Iraq has moved me to new level of social activism. Instead of blind acceptance, I've been trying to look deeper into the policies and motivations of the U.S. government - and finding a lot to be desired. Greed, Power and Fear instead of Faith, Hope and Love.

We have a long road ahead of us.