Well, there are only a few more hours left in 2008, and what a year it has been! We have had more unfortunate happenings than most years, an unusual presidential campaign, an historical election, scandal, record snow in Las Vegas, a new grandchild in England, and the list goes on.

I received a Christmas letter this week that actually moved me to tears. I make no secret that I'm against the Iraq war. A friend I worked with several years back is an officer in the Navy reserve. I haven't heard from him lately, and through his wife's Christmas letter found out that he was mobilized and sent to Iraq in April. He will be there until next April. His wife's letter was called "I spy." It began with "I spy a soldier," and detailed events through the year in the eyes of a military wife and children of a husband sent to a far off land. It was so poignant in its simplicity that I finished reading with tears streaming down my face.

I've worried that was what would happen for a few years now. He's a fellow in his thirties with three small children. This post is dedicated to my prayers for his safe return, and the safe return of all of our brave men and women engaged in this disasterous war.

I also pray that our country will get back on it's feet as the unique country that we once were and will be again, and that our new president will be able to carry out at least a portion of the things on his agenda. I wish for the political parties to stop slinging mud at each other and pull as one to restore our prestige.

I wish adequate health care for our citizens, jobs where a living wage can be earned and the preservation of family units.

We all have our own aspirations and hopes for the coming year, and with a positive can-do attitude we can help 2009 to be a happy, prosperous year.

Thanks to everyone who has visited our site this year and purchased our books. Look for the new Silver Sisters comical crime caper, Seven Deadly Samovars, in 2009.

MORGAN ST. JAMES