Dear Group, I just couldn't go to bed this evening without saying some very special words to you. It's a new year now--the old one has passed. Although I'm not one to dwell in the past, it's the past year that I want to say a few words about. It was the MOST difficult year in my entire life The Niagara Co. List has always been very special to me and we've shared a lot with each other, whether it's about the families of the area or about memories of the area. But in addition, because of the friendliness of the list I felt free to share with you what I was going through as I was going through it--from the biopsy in July to the mastectomy in August and through the difficult months afterwards recuperating both mentally and physically from the trauma of breast cancer. And you were there for me every step of the way, from praying for me, to holding your breath while I underwent surgery, to giving a great big cheer when I got the news that I'm now free of cancer. I've probably told you this before, but it bears repeating. Dear Friends, I don't believe I could have gotten through it all without your support and prayers and encouraging messages when I needed them the most. It was a long and difficult year but you got me though it. And now you're still with me as I continue to try to put my life back in order. But there's one thing that has been bothering me over the past number of months. I recieved many many messages from you but due to the stress I was under, I don't know if I responded to all of them the way that I really wanted to. I just wanted to let you know that I tried but if you never received a reply from me . . . well, I just hope you understand. All of your messages were special to me. The old year is now gone and now we all have a brand new year ahead of us to look forward to--Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall and back to Winter--12 whole months of the new year. What a year to look forward to--a clean slate! Just think of what we can talk about and share during all of those months! :-) Here's to the year 2001! luvya, vee