Happy New Year, Everyone!

I, personally, am hoping for a better year myself. 2009 was a tough one. I know I haven't posted in a long time, but I was rather busy. My mother passed away last July and it's taken this long for me to come out of the fog of grief. Following my mother's death, I left my wonderful job in Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and moved back to my hometown in Georgia. I miss my job, but I really needed the break.

Florida and Georgia don't reciprocate licenses, so I can't practice here until I take the GA state test. I'm feeling unmotivated to do that right now, so I'm doing something different and am enjoying it. I get to stay home like I've been dreaming of for the past couple of years and I get to spend more time with my family.

Speaking of family, I have two sisters who live relatively close by and we have begun to relate on a deeper level in the past year due to my mother's illness and subsequent death. Sibling relationships can be so complicated, but as time goes by we begin to realize how important we are to each other. We are the only ones who can really understand and appreciate where and what we've come from - and, overcome. I feel lucky to have them now more than ever.

This past year has given me a lot of material that I'd like to expand upon in future posts. Topics like grief, sibling relationships, parent/child relationships, loss of parent, and so on.

I look forward to sharing with you and hope you will eventually feel comfortable commenting on my topics or asking questions. Until then, may common sense be your guide and peace of mind follow close behind.