Editor’s Note: Happy New Year, everyone! Times are hard for many, if not all, of us. Just remember that love, grace and hope are free and ever plentiful. More than ever, I encourage you to submit early and often. Consider “happiness is the new black” your own personal gratitude journal. Your posts are all so lovely, I practically have to sit on my hands not to reply to each and everyone that comes to my mailbox. Let’s dig deep and make 2009 our happiest, most fulfilling year yet!
#56 I love sharing my life with you. Good or bad, it’s nice to always have you in my corner and by my side.
#55 PRESIDENT OBAMA!
#54 Happiness is your best friend telling you that you deserve the goodness that you have received after everyone else has told you are unworthy of it. Even though she may not be as happy as you at that moment, she can be happy for you.
#53 Happiness is knowing that the man who got you a last minute Christmas gift really does love you even if he isn’t so good with the forward planning of gift-giving 
#52 I worked really hard on a project that meant a lot to me and it was very successful. In the process I made a lot of friends and learned a lot along the way about people and life in general. Happy DONE 
#51 happiness is watching your son sing “Silent Night” in church while holding his little candle.
Happiness is realizing how much you love & value the people in your life. MY life would not be a life at all without them. Love you, little sis & powerhouse Nino!