goodbye 2010

So here it is, tiny chumley's last picture of the year. Familiar, isn't it? But look closely, way up past his tattooed mark of zorro and heart shaped tummy hair line, and you might just see the new little white hairs that are starting to invade tiny chumley's upper lip. Migrating, as they are, from Baxter's chiny chin chin, and spreading out like dandelions in a field of bright green grass.

All too soon, I think to myself every time I take the time to notice them.

Baxter's little white hairs are the kind of thing that makes me sigh and be thankful all at the same time. Yes it means my tiny boyfriend has gotten older. But yes it means he has gotten old with me. With us, our microcosmic trio of family, doing all the happy go lucky things a dachshund and his crafty mom like to do.

When I look back at this past year, I remember many things, but mostly I remember how this little four legged stretch of boy enriched our lives, and in doing so, enriched so many others. Baxter's little world is a wonderland in which I am truly grateful to share, even though his growing patch of white reminds me that our time together will eventually come to an end.

But I hope that's not for many, many, many years to come.

So as this year closes, I write, thankful for the year that brought us new friends, amazing feats, new backyard holes, incredible cuteness and, yes, even new white hairs. Goodbye 2010, and thanks for a wonderful year!