Here are the most important presents I've received this year, in no particular order.

My loving wife, who every day is there to smile with me and laugh at my stupid, silly, made-up songs and to let me rest my head on her shoulder at night before I fall asleep. She's my partner, my best friend, and all I could have ever hoped for.

Then, for more reasons than I can count:

Suzi, my big sis, whom I love beyond words.
Kathy, my little big sis, ditto.
Dee, my more mature than I little sis, who cracks me up on a regular basis and also happens to be a pretty damned terrific person.
John, my aggrevating, Republican, brilliant wonderful brother.
Bob, my oldest brother, who also falls into the genius camp, and who also is one of the most compassionate Vulcans I've ever met.
Sarah, my niece, for her wonderful sarcasm.
Cathy and John, for being there for my wonderful wife.
Cameron. Dude!
Then there's Amber. :-)
Dennis.
Ray.
Anna, the four of which are in my thoughts daily.
Then, there's my crit group:
Lon, who bought my first story and started an avalanche.
Eric, who keeps me honest.
Sam. !! Who knows just what I need to hear when I need to hear it.
Andrew.
Peggy Jo. Scare'em bud!
Pam.
Abby.
Dave.
Josh.
And Karl. If it weren't for them, I'd have never made it as far as I did.
Kris and Dean, for the obvious reasons.
Netter. NETTER GET BACK ONLINE!
Tom, my supervisor, who laughs with me at the stupidity of our job every day.
Adrianne. :-)
Ryan, buddy!
Gio.
Tyler and the rest of The Vanguard.

So to all of you, and those I missed, thank you for the gift of your company this year.

You all gave more than any present ever could.

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of The Abyss.