The Gift. Part I of 3

Usually towards the end of the year 3 things happen. My birthday. Christmas. And New Years. These three things cause me to briefly reflect on my life. How the year has been so far, how the previous years were. And what can I do to better myself, and the year to follow. So this time I thought I would posts my thoughts on this:
This is part one of a three part post, of the people who in some way touched my life. Who in retrospect left me a part of themselves, in their own way to me. I call it a gift. This is also a tribute to them as well.

Through the experience of life's gains and losses we have learned to become what we are. Strengthening our weaknesses, or weakening our strengths. Sometimes through the loss of a loved one, in hindsight, we learn about ourselves and of others. Things that may of always been there, but we never saw. Or things newly discovered. This discovery, can be a gift. A gift to life itself. Here are some thoughts/experiences of me....
( continued under the cut )

For those who are going to holiday parties this weekend

Here is something to get you in the mood

Top Chef Catch Up

1. Was a weak show. With weak food.
2. Bland. Although, cooking for a wedding shower was a great idea

3.
With hunk Danny gone (and Richard too), who will we now salivate over?
4.Martha Stewart as guest judge next week should be interesting

PS. Not that they have to look and dress like June Cleaver. But does anyone else think some of the Housewives of Orange County look like high priced call girls? Like the ones that hang out in front of the SF Hilton at Union Square? That cheap "new money" look?
Just saying.