For you personally what has made 2009 so memorable for you?

A paid in full mortgage did it for me.

Goods
– The amount of takeaway food I have eaten this year is probably up by 500%.
– Have only been ill once this year. (normally I’m ill like 7 or 8 times a year atleast)
– Another year closer to my apartment being finished!
– Got my tv show/movies collection on my computer up another 2TB this year!

Bads
– None

after a 7 year hiatus from dating i started dating this women about a month ago.it feels weird having someone to care about but i definitely dig it.she is different than anyone i could imagined which makes awesome.

Pain, depression, heartache. Oh, and discovering Hot Yoga.

i got my 2nd divorce and found out i am not invincible.

It’s been such a stressful year. I purchased my first house this year, made a breakthrough in my relationship with my mum, published a poetry book, stopped drinking caffeine, reconnected with a childhood friend, reread several of my favourite books and finally found a site fluther I enjoy.

@Facade Sorry to hear that this year has bought you pain, depression and heartbreak. I hope next year is a big improvement on this year for you.

A new grandchild and a new puppy.

@AstroChuck Soounds perfect :)

Been rough. Bad health, no money, many many fears about my future.

Looking at the blessings of family, friends and even material thing I still have.

Son’s graduation from law school into a world of unemployment.

My retirement! Hurray!!

Transferred colleges, finally found something I could enjoy doing with my life, passed the 1 year mark with my boyfriend, actually set out to do something and did it

@Jeruba How’s he handling it? And congrats to you.

He is working hard nearly every single day to look for and apply for positions anywhere in the U.S., and it is very disheartening that he can’t even get a reply, never mind an interview. He was at the top of his class, and he passed the bar exam on his first try. There are just too few openings, even in a field that should be hot—environmental law. He wants to protect the earth.

Thank you. I absolutely love it. There’s some inevitable anxiety with it, but I don’t know anyone who isn’t anxious under present conditions.

@Jeruba Indeed. My parents just retired and even though the economy should not be a concern to them, it’s hard for them to enjoy their new life with so much suffering around them. Best of luck to your son.

Graduating from college. 5 days to go!

I quit a bad relationship
I quit smoking
I lost two stone
I found my love of Saturday nights alone

”There are years that ask questions and years that answer” Zora Neale Hurston

I went to Europe for the first (and hopefully not the last) time. I have also learned so much about myself (as a person) this year!!!

Realizing that my life might be as good or better than Tiger Woods’.

The year started with a major breakup and resultant heartache. As I teetered on the razor’s edge, and stared into the familiar chasm of depression where I had spent the first 4 decades of my life, I vowed to never return there.

I gave myself permission to grieve the loss of that relationship, and the future that seemed so clear to me for the first time ever. I realized that although my course has changed, and there is limited visiblity, I am not drifting aimlessly… I can steer.

I made an effort to create the life that I wanted. For someone who has always been painfully shy and reserved, I wanted to expand my circle of friends and to experience some adventures. I focused on my fitness and lost a bit of my excess weight. I joined groups for adventurers, hikers, meditation, volunteering, dining out, yoga, and such through Meetup.com. I have made a number of real friends, and have participated in activities – some of which I never would have thought I’d do: paintball, zip lining, motorcycle riding, and I will be going skydiving in the spring (we were rained-out in the fall, and wanted to wait until it’s warmer again).

In the spring and early summer, my one-and-only son (whom I’ve mostly raised on my own) was turning 18 and graduating High School. He was under a lot of stress. He also wound up in the Emergency Room for three unrelated incidents. On each of those occassions, but for the slightest bits if good fortune, I could gave been burying him. He had no significant lasting physical effects from those incidents, but I hope the lessons learned will remain with him for the rest if his days.

During those challenging times, I was surprised how calm I remained. I was once a very easily distressed person, but in the past three years, my resilience and strength have broken free of the doubt and fear that nearly had me crippled.

So 2009 has been a true slice of life… with significant lows and highs. I am happy that I have finally learned not to let the lows drag me down, and not to expect the highs to never end. It’s been a hell of a ride, and I’m finally learning how to enjoy it.

7 funerals in 3 days and a serious drug problem that almost killed me.

I found out I have a chronic illness this year…I hope 2010 is a better year!

@rangerr Did you get a job in a funeral home?

@colliedog No. I did not.

Work success (2x qualifications and an award), graduation and living on my own for the first time in 10 years.

Hubby and I celebrated our silver wedding aniversary this year.

@rangerr <hugs> I lost my dear friend on October 7th and then my cousin died last month too. I hope 2010 is a much better year for you.
hugs xx

I was in 3 car accidents. Only one was my fault.

My wife was in 2 car accidents. Neither were her fault.

My mom died.

@tinyfaery I’m sorry to hear that :(

The advent of my grandson Jake on May 31, 2009. Oh – and I guess Obama’s inauguration but that seems like far away and in a different country by now.

@tinyfaery I just can’t give you a “GA” for that, it seems too inappropriate, but you know you have my sympathy as always.

Oh my goodness, you all touch me so much… I have to say that the Fluther companionship has been a major part of my year and wanted to thank you all…I had no idea of some of the stuff that you guys have been through and would love to give you all real hugs one day xx

I am now on long term disability because of worsening arthritis, stress fractures, and an insufficiency fracture in my sacrum. I am to young, 55, to not have a job. I miss my work mates. I miss feeling valuable because I truly helped a patient or their family. I miss the chance to pick up an extra shift and earn extra money.

Getting married :-)

@RareDenver Awwwhh!

If I make it to 2010 without contracting bronchitis or pneumonia, it will be the first time in about 6yrs.

being surprised by being asked for a divorce.

My girlfriend and self-growth in confidence and social ability.

Obama taking office, conception of our second baby boy, completion of massage school, excellent beach trips, and falling in love with my husband all over again.

@ubersiren- Damn. Busy year!

For me personally? so hard to imagine because the kids always come first!:

A day trip whitewater rafting for the first time on a class IV/V river. The best time of my life. seriously!

@lynneblundell, this is for you.

Playing “monkey in the middle” with a real monkey totally by accident.!!!!

@Jeruba thank you so much… that made my day! xx

A mountain resort for two days in July, that was a proactive awesome.

The birth of my first grandson In July.
My father died in early December.

Addendum to my entry
2009 is ending on a high note! One of my new friends and I chose to take the friendship further and had our first date yesterday… it went very well.
:-)

@hearkat Way to go!

@janbb: Thanks!

I’m crazy in love. I’ve opened us so much and it feels wonderful. We just curled up together on the sofa this morning and held each other for a good hour. I could feel my heart pounding and my body with filled with warmth. It felt like heaven.

@jmah That was so nice to read – must have been even nicer to feel!

@jmah Aww…