Saluting people of courage from 2007

We are spending the New Year's holiday in Pennsylvania with our dear friends Tatiana and Tony, and their son Dario.

Tonight, we are saluting people who exhibited great courage in 2007, and also those we know who have made good positive changes in their lives, and can serve as inspiring examples for us and our children.

First, Benazir Bhutto, of course.

And Oscar Elias Biscet, who in November was honored in absentia by President Bush with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work to promote freedom in Cuba.

And the people of Venezuela who rejected Chavez's "reforms."

And most of the American soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

And Garry Kasparov.

And the Ladies in White in Cuba.

A big toast will go to Alejandro Ripoll Paez, Tatiana's brother, who this year escaped Cuba on his 12th try, on a speedboat to Mexico, and is now in Miami, working to bring his wife and children.

We are also celebrating those we know and love who took the initiative this year to make their lives better, to be true to themselves, which sometimes involves a good deal of courage:

My friend Harold, who left the priesthood this year after realizing that he didn't believe Catholicism is true.

My friend Patrick, who decided to have six months of chemotherapy to reduce the chance that his colon cancer will return.

My friend Donald, who left a job that wasn't right for him.

And, Tatiana, who, after teaching college Spanish for five years as an adjunct, talked herself into the Master's program in language and culture at Villanova, where she currently teaches Spanish.

All of these people inspire me.

Anyone have any other additions to this list?