2009 in review:
January - Our youngest daughter went into the hospital to have an emergency C-Section done to save her and the baby. They were in the hospital more than a month each.
An Uncle died.
Having trouble with my joints swelling up. Having a hard time walking without crutches or a cane.
March - The woman that raised me as my Mom died. I couldn't afford to go the funeral.
April - Youngest daughter back the hospital and is operated on.
Lost my job because the company went bankrupt.
May - Got another job.
June - My best friend dies of cancer.
Koen and I have issues.
Went to see my Father. When I got back they fired me from my job.
Visited the Lady that raised me's grave and paid my respects.
July - My Father dies on our youngest daughters birthday.
Aug - Our youngest daughter is back in the hospital.
My wife's best friend and the wife of my longest gaming friend dies of breast cancer.
Having problems with my joints swelling up.
Sept - My joints swell to the point I can't walk. I finally go to the VA.
Stopped mortgage company from foreclosing on my home.
Middle daughter and her family move back from Kentucky. All the kids and grandkids back in Tx now.
Oct - Still can't walk without either a cane or crutches.
Start interview process with Coca Cola Company. They were less than thrilled that I couldn't walk without a cane.
Youngest daughter back in the hospital. FINALLY she see's another doctor.
Sent to the VA hospital for x-rays. Had 32 x-rays done of all my joints and my back. Results were good. Electric bill much lower now since I now glow in the dark.....
Nov - Finally get the correct diagnosis after 3 years. Find out I have rheumatoid arthritis. Get some medication that starts to work.
Coke drags out the hiring process for a secondary job.
Youngest daughter and youngest grand-daughter home for Thanksgiving. I can at least walk unaided for short periods. It was a good visit.
Dec - They hire someone else for the original position but are talking to me continuously about the secondary job. They are a strange company to do business with in HR. No reps here. Closest one in Dallas and then Atlanta.
The ESL (English as a Second Language)/US Citizenship program I direct gets local attention in the newspaper. We are growing slowly. Our entire organization is volunteer.
Midnight December 31st 2009 - By this time I will have had the worst year of my life and it will finally be behind me personally and for my family as well. Couldn't happen to a nicer year. Everything happens for a reason and what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
That should mean I'm reasonably stronger for what happens for the rest of my life on this planet. I'll need that to help me with some of the left over issues that 2009 brought. But it should be easier to handle after what we've just been through.
Good Hunting.
MR
