This is my last column of 2012!

The year has flown by just like my Mom used to say it would when I got older. Well, I’m older and time flies. Now it’s time to say thank you to a lot of wonderful people who made 2012 memorable for me.

First of all, thank you to everyone who read the Times in 2012 and a special thank you to all who read my column. Like it or lump it, I have an opinion on a lot of things. I’ve shared “No Strings on Me” with you and whether you like it or lump it, you’ve commented via email, snail mail, by phone, on Facebook and in person. Thank you for caring enough to tell me what you think. Sometimes your opinions are insightful. Sometimes your opinions are way out there in left field and sometimes I wonder what you’re hiding in your cold cellar. But, I’ve said it before, an opinion indicates you’re paying attention to the issues. Thank you for sharing your opinions.

And thank you to everyone who give me ideas for columns. Some of those ideas are wonderful. Some of them are just plain wacky. And then, there are ideas that have “weird” stamped on the file folder. For example, this year a lovely lady stopped me in Sobey’s and asked if I would write about pets, her pets. Not about adopting pets or caring for pets, just her pets. And that particular reader told me her pet cat had inspired her writing. Who’da thunk it, a tabby muse. Oh my. I didn’t ask if she expected me to drop by her place to interview her cat or sip a cup of herbal tea while “puss” inspired me. I had the feeling she probably spent as much on clothing for her kitty as she did for herself. Who knows, there could be a column about cats who wear clothes in 2013. Or, at the very least, a column about people who buy clothing for their cats. Or maybe I might mention people who have too many cats. Yup, there could be an article about cat-obsessed people. Thank you, whoever you were, I may not have indicated this but I’ll pass on the inspirational visit.

Thank you to the readers who have asked me for copies of columns I might have written two or three (or more) years ago. I’m flattered you remember your favourites. I often wonder if maybe you just need something to throw darts at in your recreation room or will line the budgie cage with my missives. Occasionally, readers who ask for copies of columns can’t remember when the column was published, but generously offer a timeframe such as, “It might have been in the spring. It was warm outside and I remember a seed catalogue on my kitchen table.” Thank you to the readers who remember what they think they read. It’s always interesting to hear, “Didn’t you write about the year your family slept through a holiday? I seem to remember reading that somewhere. Maybe it was a library book. I know I read it someplace. Could you check to see if you’ve got a copy of it someplace?”

A great big thanks to the readers who think I’ve written about them or for them. Honestly, if I haven’t mentioned you by name in the column, all I can say is, “If the shoe fits.” I’m not too proud to admit I can’t remember what I wrote in November of this year let alone what I wrote in November of 2008. But, thanks for asking.

Dear Readers, thank you for reading. You make my days. See you in 2013!

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca