The Gift of a New Year

Here’s to the year
that’s almost past its expiration date—2008.
We all had some surprises, didn’t we?
Some good, some distressing.
Let’s use everything we got from our experiences,
everything we learned,
to enrich the new year. Here’s to the new year, 2009,
a gift we haven’t opened yet.
May its bright, shiny package
contain even more than we hope for.

And even while we’re delighting in new treasures,
let’s appreciate fully what we already have—
the blessings we take for granted.
Make a list, and check it twice. And here’s to all you wonderful people
(wave glass around to encompass the whole group)
who are putting up with my toast;
I hope in the new year
you see yourselves the way I see you:
intelligent, interesting, and likable. (Raise glass) To 2009:
May it give a whole new meaning
to the phrase, "the good life."