As I do on this day every year – I cannot believe that tomorrow is the 31st of December. It seems that as I get older – the years get shorter and shorter. And while I will do tomorrow what everyone else will, which is look back on 2008 – I can say with all certainty that this has truly been the best year of my life so far.

In 2007, my life was an absolute complete opposite of what it is now. None of the things, circumstances or situations that exist in my life now existed then. If you would have told me in 2007 of the current state of my life today – I would have laughed at you – but thankfully – where my life is today is no joke.

Over the last 363 days, I have done a lot. I have moved to a beautiful condominium in New Jersey, I have Julie and Beavis with me, I have all my life’s belongings back from storage, I have a great job with the U.S. Army that has earned me two Commander’s Coins and a Customer Service Award, I have reconnected with some dear friends that I have lost contact with in Mark, Renee, Jessica and Archbishop Hartman, I have made some really great new friends in Henning, David, Avery and Tim, I have traveled to Maryland, Alabama, Nevada, and Virginia – and I have finally regained my Christmas spirit. Despite a collapsing economy, a year chock full of scandals, historic layoffs and unemployment – and a country in recession – I, thankfully, have managed to glide through 2008 virtually unscathed.

Unfortunately, there is one accomplishment that I was unable to reach this year due to time constraints – writing my 1000th column. Unless I write 34 columns in the next 24 hours – averaging one column every 45 minutes – I guess that is one milestone I have to let slip through the cracks. But since I know for a fact that unless my hands get cut off, I will reach 1,000 columns in 2009 – that means that even before it starts – I already know that 2009 is going to be a great year for me in terms of accomplishments.

So as I prepare to go to sleep tonight – for the last time in 2008 – I thank God for the great year He has given me. I am truly grateful to everyone that has helped me succeed, brought me joy and happiness – and helped make this year truly the best one so far. I am elated that what I hoped would transpire on January 1, 2008 has come true and then some. But most of all – I thank Julie for making 2008 not the best year of my life – but of ours.

May you and your family, friends and loved ones have a happy, healthy – and most importantly – safe New Year’s Eve and 2009. May the coming year bring you nothing but health, happiness and success. May next year be better for all of us, our country – and our economy. And most importantly, may all of us be able to sit down one year from now – and write this column all over again.

Happy 2009 everyone!