We’re nearly at the end of the year 2007, and this is when I decide to start blogging again.

Although blogging again is a resolution of mine, I decided I might as well start again now so I can recap a little about my year; explain a little bit of why starting at the end still make the beginning of the year a bit better.

This was a roller coaster sort of year. A year ago today, my parents and brother and I were in southern France while my grandfather and aunt watched my dog, Magoo. I hadn’t seen my family in roughly five months, and didn’t know Magoo would be gone when I returned seven months after our great vacation in France and Spain. The year started out great, but finished with some tough circumstances; all in all, it was the best of years and it was the worst of years.

In June, Magoo died while I was still in Sweden. My father had told me to come home earlier, but I insisted on milking my time in Sweden. I can’t regret what I did, though, because I never could’ve known that my very precious dog – the one animal I’ve really ever attached to so much – would die rather young. I came home in July to spend the last few months of my grandfather’s life by his side. In September, my grandfather passed away at 92 after a long, rich life; although he had a great life and he was around for over 21 years of my life, it’s still hard to say goodbye. It was a stroke that had initiated his last days, one stroke that was worse than all the ones before it — something that was very hard to watch as all the things he was trying to say were impossible to understand. At least he understood what we were telling him in his last days, and it was that we loved him and that we could handle a goodbye. I’m not so sure about that last part, but I am glad that he is no longer suffering.

It’s hard to lose two of the most important things in your life within months of each other. It was also hard to go from a life that had an expiration date – a life in Sweden that I loved very, very much – and return to living in a place I’d known my entire life. I really didn’t want to leave.

But I realize that I’m lucky that I left for Sweden in the first place. To come back to the U.S. was a huge eye-opener — not that I hadn’t already been aware of the direction in which this country is going. But I was lucky to have my dog and my grandfather in my life, too, even if my dog wasn’t there nearly long enough. In fact, Magoo would’ve turned 8 today. As for Grandpa, some people never get to know their grandparents. I was quite fortunate.

So with that attitude, I will ring in the New Year knowing that I am a fortunate person. I have the opportunity to return to Sweden someday, something I will certainly pursue. With 2008 comes a multitude of possibilities and a chance to have new things to focus on. I would be foolish to squander the potential that lies ahead of me.

Have a happy and safe New Year.