...and sometimes why: Everything's going to get lighter

I know that I tend to wallow here so here are reasons why 2008 didn't totally suck.

My sister and her boyfriend broke up. That's not the great part - he was a nice guy and she was talking about moving in with him. No, the great part was that in her grief, she turned to me for comfort and advice and someone to talk to. I'm fairly certain that's never happened before. I adore my sister but neither of us talk much with each other about our feelings. Her sadness brought us closer.
I joined 2 musical groups! I forgot how great I feel when I get to make music with other people. I joined a singing group that was putting on an autumn fundraiser. It was delicious. I got to experience that whole-body-vibration thing that happens when I loudly sing one note in a powerful and interesting chord. I was sad when it was over, but I also joined an adult concert band that practices once a week for 10 months of the year. Even though the loudest tenor saxophone player in the world sits directly behind me, even though the oboe player beside me assured me that he wasn't "a sex maniac or anything" when he offered to drive me home, and even though we have 1 French horn and 6 tubas, I love it. One week I was contemplating not going because I had a crappy day at work and I was tired and grouchy and my temples had their own pulse. Despite my resolve to ditch, I went anyway and on my way home I discovered that I was humming "Chimes of Liberty" [sound warning], headache-free and with a big goofy grin.
My mom continued to be wonderful. She is quite simply my favourite person in the world. She makes me laugh and cry and she loves me. This year she took me on endless trips to the grocery store to get heavy things that I didn't want to walk to get. She ate sushi and East Indian and Thai with me. She treated me to a glorious day at the spa with a manicure and pedicure and facial. When she ate meals I prepared for her, she made me feel like the greatest gourmet chef that ever was. She raved about the photographs I took, and showed up to my band Christmas concert. My mom, she is awesome.
I made some fantastic friends. A lot of times it takes a while to become good friends with people, but these new friends and I clicked right away. How can I NOT instantly love the coolest person I've ever met? How can I have a slow get-to-know-you period with someone who drunkenly confesses dark secrets to me the first time we go out for drinks and then introduces me to their whole gang of friends who instantly welcome me? And anyone who greets me at the door with a large glass of red wine and a cheerful "Hola!" is aces in my book. I have been lonely a lot this past year but you, my new friends, have made my heart warm.
I decided to not apply for a job with my company as a trainer in Winnipeg. On the surface, it seemed ideal. I have been so lonely and unhappy the last while here. I dislike my current job and would love to be in the Learning Services department. I already have friends and family living in that city, and I even know some of the people that work in our Winnipeg location. However, as I contemplated leaving I realized how much I have here. Not only did I have some fabulous new friends, but I have so many amazing people that I've been friends with for years. We may not see each other often but I know I can count on them for anything. I may not like my job, but the group of people I work with are awfully fun. This is home and it comforted me to realize that.
I received 3 mix CDs in the mail from someone I've never met! I love mix CDs! I also discovered a whack of new and new-to-me music that made me smile and dance and sing (sound warning for all links).