January represents a beginning. It is a time for looking forward! But, regardless of what month it is, there is always time to look back and reflect.

This month, South Shore Woman's Wink webzine honors those who are no longer with us in body, but always in spirit. We all have someone close to us who left this life too soon, be it from sickness, war, or tragic accident. It is often unbearable to think that we must live on without them, but, if you are like us, you know that special person remains with you in spirit. And, the memories of laughter, lessons, and love make a difference.

To that end, in this special January 2010 issue, our person of the month is Mike Wilson. He was, as his friends describe him and as outlined in a Boston Herald article this past July, "No big shot, just a great guy". Tall in stature and abound with energy and enthusiasm, Mike had an undeniable presence when he walked into a room. But it was his ability to live in the moment and a genuine care for others around him that made him a magnetic force to anyone standing in that room with him. His daughter, Jamie, writes about the life changing last moments she shared with him, and the inspiration he continues to instill within her and the rest of his family and friends. Because, after all, what's important is being the best person you can be-- not being a big shot. Mike taught us that.

Continuing on our theme of remembering loved ones lost, SSW contributor Erin Heffernan writes about her best friend Lisa Reid who passed away a few years ago from breast cancer. Erin and a team of women recently participated in the Avon walk in her memory, finding strength and understanding along the way. Read Erin's story The Pink Horizon.

What one can never fully understand, however, is the loss of a child.  Holleigh and Paul Tlapa endured the most devasting event of their lives when their daughter Jaiden was fatally injured in an accident. Their grief is neverending, everyday is excruciating, Holleigh writes. Yet she continues on in her role as mother, wife, and keeper of the memories. And, she helps others in Jaiden's name through the Jaiden Angel Foundation which provides services to families facing tragic child illness, accidents and loss. 

What we really need to remember, as psychic medium Maureen Hancock reminds us, is that our loved ones may not be physically here, but they are still with us, just in a different form. Click on Maureen's story to find out how she can connect us earthly beings with those on the other side-- and she does it with humor, adding a little levity to make it less overwhelming.

Things to think about in 2010.

Of course, we can't have a January issue without addressing our New Year's resolutions. Our newest  South Shore Woman columnists, Loraine Fields and Stacey Shipman, share their tips on how to get your finance and your fitness goals on the right track in 2010!

(Tracy and Steph have some goals of their own to share in the latest 40 Winks blog, "Body by Budweiser, No More". )

Finally, our featured business this month is the The Greenbush Times, a local newspaper founded by Scituate native Therese Duane, which is "Tracking life in the villages of the Old Colony Line". Read on for a little history lesson and....reflection.

Thank you for checking back in with South Shore Woman. And, please, contact us if you have a person or a business you'd like us to profile, or something cool you came across that you think "We'd Love"!

Have a safe and very happy New Year!

Tracy and Steph