Hard to believe I was sitting in this chair not too long ago, working on an update of Michigan Women's Forum! I've spent this snowed-in day going over all kinds of interesting and inspiring stories for this issue, which is our last before the new year.

  As we head into the last, hectic days of our holiday season, there's no better time to take a moment with Jan Lundy and enjoy a POCKET OF PEACE. Jan shares a special meditation to address the myriad thoughts that pass through our minds, in order to find (I love this word) equanimity. Be sure to follow the links to her Web site and blog - she's offering some wonderful surprises for the holiday and New Year.

  I am honored to bring a new and inspiring voice to Michigan Women's Forum, in food and health writer Lisa Howard. If you've thought about making changes in the new year, Lisa shares wonderful insights about making your dreams come true. Find her essay in LIVE WELL.

  A number of Inforum events are featured in BIZ, and please take a moment to read about a new effort to track the senior population, Seniors Count! by Adult Well-Being Services and Wayne State University’s Institute of Gerontology, in FEATURED.

  This is a great time of year to support Michigan women authors - check out our ARCHIVES or click on any of our Inspired shopping links to find all kinds of gift ideas for avid readers. And remember, Cindy LaFerle donates proceeds from the sale of her award-winning essay collection, Writing Home, to shelters serving the homeless in southeast Oakland County, Michigan. Details and a link to order the book are included with this month's column.

  In PIECE OF MIND, I'm writing about local women's magazines - or, more accurately, the lack thereof - and the Detroit Media Partnership, which is struggling mightily just to keep the presses moving. We've got a few new items in our NETWORK calendar and don't forget to add your favorite charity to our SHARING list.

  I'll close this final edition of 2008 with a word of thanks - first, to the women whose contributions have transformed Michigan Women's Forum this year: columnists Cindy LaFerle, Jan Lundy, Lola Kern and Barbara Marynowski, as well as Leslie Herrick at Inforum and Tom Wilson, Michigan Gender Equity Team for providing a steady stream of news, events and information. If you've sent us news to share, shared your own story or passed on our link to others, please know you have my heartfelt gratitude!

--Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, Michigan Women's Forum