Happy Post-Thanksgiving!

I'm writing from my post-Thanksgiving, pre-Hanukkah, pre-Christmas, puppy-induced haze. Whose idea was it to start Christmas the day after Thanksgiving? They definitely didn't talk to me about it.... At this time of year, it's hard not to become reflective about the past 12 months. And 2008 has been an amazing year in many ways. The Wald Law Group has had the great good fortune to continue to thrive through the financial chaos of the past months, thanks in part to the loyalty of many wonderful clients and colleagues -- and to the determination of these same clients and colleagues to continue to live their lives at full volume, even in the face of great challenges and uncertainty. I count the people with whom I share my daily life among my greatest blessings, including my family, Wald Law co-workers, suite mates, clients, colleagues and friends. Surrounded by so much support and camaraderie, the world can never stay gloomy for long. And then there are the puppies. They now have names: Turk and Gracie. They also have worms, for which they are currently on medication. The medication is kicking their cute little butts and they, in turn, are kicking our not-quite-as-cute and not-quite-as-little butts. As a result, I was up at 4:00 a.m. ("time to pee mom!!") and spent the next 2.5 hours trying to go back to sleep on our living room couch with one puppy tucked under my neck and the other draped over my legs. In the dark, I couldn't even tell which was which, but I can now testify from personal experience that sleeping puppies do a lot of twitching.... And there is the amazing experience of watching the new presidential administration take form. It appears that we have survived what I truly believe will go down in history as one of the most destructive presidencies of all time. I have seen my share of presidents with whom I bitterly disagreed, but George W. Bush is the first who has seemed truly amoral. It will probably take years to fully assess the damage, not to mention repairing it. Our economy ... the environment ... our standing with the other countries of the world ... all are in a state of disrepair unlike anything I have ever experienced. Frankly, it is hard to envy Barack Obama his job. And yet, he is going about getting ready to assume control with such good humor, such assurance, such grace. It is an exciting moment, a historic moment, and a moment when it is impossible not to feel a sense of optimism, despite the challenges ahead. 2009 is sure to be quite a ride. We will have a new President. We will have a challenged economy, no matter what happens. But with so much work to be done on so many fronts, it is a year when so much can be accomplished. How can it be anything but exciting? Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!