The lowest day -- A walk in the mountains -- New Year's mail -- My first thank-you note -- How are you? -- Reading Pollyanna in Sierra Madre; or, Life as a series of fortunate events -- An end of winter -- Thank you for paying your bills -- Thank the Starbucks guy -- Mediation -- Birthday cards -- Doctor Hudson's secret journal -- Extreme thank yous -- The unopened file -- Father's day -- A "business" trip to Beijing -- Economic meltdown on Lake Avenue -- Heartbreak -- The stock market crashes-- into Thanksgiving -- Running with friends -- In training -- December, the movie and the reality; or, It's a wonderful life -- A better man -- A house, a dream job, grace, and a sandwich wrapped in waxed paper; or, What I wanted -- Epilogue: A tie.