Another 365 days and yet another candle on a cake I never eat. 

Oh my God, I cannot believe that a year has come and gone and I am another year older.  A lot has happened to all of us in that time.

A year ago I was just thinking about getting through the rest of the summer at the same weight.  I believe then I was probably in the best shape of my adult life.  I was running more, eating and drinking less. 

Two weeks later that would all change. 

I would put on about 30 pounds, and all that hard work went out the window.  I would see the City I love turned upside down.

This year, it almost feels the same way. 

I’ve gotten most of those extra pounds off and yet again I am hoping to just get through the rest of the summer un-scathed.  But while the work to prepare for the anniversary of Sept. 11 is at times overwhelming, and family members and personal issues can often make life feel like LaGuardia Airport on a Friday night, it is still good to be here and have everyone I know here as well.

I’ll save the Sept. 11 retrospective for next week, but for now I’ll just reflect on us. 

We’ve seen a changing of the guard in our City Council, but some seem to be up to the same old tricks. 

We’ve seen progress on the AirTrain, so soon the people who live near the Van Wyck will be free of the construction aggravation. 

We’ve seen the West Nile virus return and strike in our community. 

We lost dear friends in Assembly woman Pauline Rhodd-Cummings and Cynthia Jenkins while we gained an African American borough present in Helen Marshall.

Again there was tragedy out of Kennedy Airport as Flight 587 fell from the skies, and again we question how safe it is to live so close to JFK. 

While a lot has changed, much has stayed the same.  For that I am grateful. 

I have had a chance to become reacquainted with God and with many long lost friends and family. I have a new appreciation for those associations.  You know that when things seem to be bigger, badder, and stronger that you, it is great to know that there is someone to lean on or talk to.

In the next year there will be the economy to deal with.  [Yes we all have to ride out the bumps]. 

The issue of reparations is sure to keep things hot on the social radar screen.

I’m sure there will be some entertainer to get him or herself in some kind of trouble and we’ll have that to hold up as an example of why money is the root of all evil.

I’ve seen a daughter graduate from college, a stepson head to college and a son start high school. 

I’m sure all of them will create enough drama to start three new cable stations.  Lord knows they have enough for a show right now.

The knee still hurts, but it’s almost back to normal. 

There have been turns around the career maypole, but that is likely not to change. Thank God, since it seems that baby Bush is making sure that all the folks who didn’t lose their house or their job during his Dad’s administration will lose them now.  And if they don’t, he can always lighten the job pool by starting a war he — like his dad — cannot or will not finish.

The next year, I’m sure, will provide enough fodder for us to talk about, joke about, ponder or even cry over. 

I know this.  It’s good to be alive and healthy. The happiness part can always be worked out as long as you have the first two. 

Next week will be a very solemn and reflective time for all of us.  I’ve had the privilege to get an early peek at what lies ahead through the eyes of gratitude.  Many are looking at the next seven to 10 days with a different perspective.  I will join them in the sorrow then, since I empathize with their loss. For now though, I will just be happy and grateful and just say “thank you” and hope I get to do it again next year.

— Gary Anthony Ramsay is a weekend anchor
and journalist on the all-news
cable station NY1 and along-time resident of Queens.