This is Leela, a woman who could easily have occupied all 12 slots in this countdown.

A woman of many passions and indecisions, she easily ranks as my best friend, my confidante, and likely the only one who truly understands my soul…probably better than I do. No matter what I accomplish in life, in times of my greatest darkness, or when I simply need a soothing voice, Leela is the person to whom I turn first. And I hope I offer even a smidgen of the same to her.

It can take some effort to get to truly know Leela, but the rewards of doing so make any effort seem insignificant.

(Part Twelve of my 12 Days of Gratitude…because the rest of the news sucks)