Thank God for Godparents

A final note before we launch digitally into a new decade - I don't know how we'd have coped in 2009 without our friends Cynthia and Al, who bring so much joy (and pie) into our world on a regular basis. Not only has Cynthia taken on the role as my adopted Godmother, but she is a huge source of love and handknits for the kids (and most of you know the value I put on handknits). If I've have a model for good behavior since the passing of my mother, it is surely Cynthia, who still juggles enviable travel, artistic endeavors, whipping up scrumptious meals for weary parents and always being available to help a frenzied mom with both imbecilic and fun tasks, including but not limited to wielding a paint brush during home improvement jags, reading to the kids while splayed out on the floor, always picking just the right toys (Hess trucks, anyone?), or just being a good ear when I want to poke everyone's eyes out with a fork (my children excluded).

We were so happy to share Christmas (and our lives) with them.