was my son’s first day back at school. This morning I hugged and waved goodbye to a vastly different child than he was last year. My little boy coped with a major operation and the surrounding hurdles with grace, maturity and trust that was well beyond his years (he is now 7). This year’s first day back at school I watched him run to his friends and start the new year with happiness and enthusiasm. He truly is a different child.

How many of us have had a shocking 2008 or at least a challenging one. 2009 is predicted to be a difficult one as well so our attitude and relationships are what will carry us through. Maybe we should all behave as if we are starting school again for the year and look at it with fresh, enthusiastic and joyful eyes. It might just save us, our children and our very important relationships.