Tricia,

It's always so nice to hear from you! So, what you're telling us, essentially, is that as you moved into a new step in your life, you went about rediscovering who you were/are and finding a way to express all of that. Am I close?

Ya know, I've never been sad about being an empty nester. Sure, i miss the kids at one time or another. But it sure is nice not having to plam your entire life around everybody else's needs and wants. Might be selfish, but that's okay. Kelly will be 35 next month and Scott is 37. They both have a college education and are doing very well for themselves. Their mother (my ex-wife) and I gave them the tools they needed. They have used those tools well. And I have used all that extra time and new found energy quite well, also! ASs you said...pretty good trade-off!

Just wanted to add that you do a remarkably good job of expressing yourself in lyric. Hope 2007 is as good to you as 2006 was rotten to you. It was a tough haul for you last year. You deserve a really grteat one this year. Let's go 2007!!

Alan