2008 has come and gone and it's that time of year when one naturally reflects back on the previous twelve months. I heard a lot lately on how people want to forget 2008, how they just want to look forward to 2009 and the promise it might bring. It's understandable actually, with the economic collapse (ten fold worse here in Detroit), incompetent government leadership, and another year of war. For me, I have a slightly different take.

For one thing, sports provided many high points for me. The year started off great with Ryan Newman winning the Daytona 500, ending a winless streak that was starting to tarnish a still young career. Then a few months later Ozzie came to the rescue in the playoff and led the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup victory. Heck you know the year is going good when MSU football contends for a Big Ten championship and ends up with a new years day bowl game. Perhaps the season was made even sweeter by the embarrassment that was the U of M season. A trend I hope continues for years. Outside of sports 2008 brought me my first nephew and my parents there first, and long awaited, grandchild, Benjamin. And Josephine Fleming did her best to be a 2009 baby but eventually came out before the deadline for Shannon and Meg. I couldn't be happier for both of them. I also voted for the first time... voted for someone who's career I'd been following closely since 2004 and someone I have great hopes for.

While these facts alone would make a year better then most. I would say, oddly, that the high points for me were two occasion when I was woken up abruptly at 5 or 6 am from a deep and peaceful sleep. Now anyone who knows me knows that getting up early is not something I do.... ever... unless absolutely forced too. But for these time I have never gotten up and been so alert, so quickly in my life.

The first time was a cold winter morning in January. I awoke to my name being called over and over again and Linh standing over me. The room was dark, but the bathroom light was on. I forget the exact words, but they were strait and too the point... "I think I'm pregnant". Let me tell you.. that will wake a guy up... And sure enough she was. While it came as a slight surprise (and by slight I mean completely), it was not unwelcome news. Perhaps earlier then we planned, but as we always say to my friend Dun... "You're not getting any younger". The next 8 months seemed to fly by. I spent much of my free time trying to stay busy by painting the condo and prepping the house for the new arrival. A place that I bought three years ago for myself and now it will be holding four.

The second morning wake up was on Sunday, October 5th. It was a little after 5 AM when Linh once again shook me awake. Again it was dark and only the bathroom light was on and she said "I think it's time". Roughly 12 hours later Keely Linh Maleck was born. People say when your child is born it's a life changing moment. They say it's the greatest event in their life. Looking back, that's probably true. But at the time I didn't know what to think. I was so proud of Linh.. she handled the whole day with more courage and composure then I could ever muster. Mostly I was just thankful that everyone was ok and healthily.... Keely had five fingers, five toes, and a good set of lungs... that's for sure. It was scary.. the thought of what was to come. The unknown. But I only freaked out a few times the first few weeks. Once insisting we call the pediatrician because Keely wasn't crying enough. They thought I was a moron, and didn't really try to hide their feeling.

The time since has been wonderful. Keely is a great baby and we've been lucky enough to have Linh's family help out and watch here while we both work. For as great as 2008 was I am very excited about this year. All the 'first' that will soon arrive. First words, first time she crawls, first time we can take her and Sydney to the park. We hope to make a lot of changes this year as well, so.. with any luck... next year I can declare 2009, "best year ever".