I am reading an amazing book right now, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The novel, which was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2006, is a story of a father and son pushing a shopping cart full of their personal possessions, traveling across a barren land after some type of unmentioned catastrophe destroyed civilization, the eco system and the majority of life on earth.

They travel across the ash-covered land in search of any type of food that has not been found after years of scavenging by other “survivors.” Found delicacies including, canned beans and vegetables, are treasures and the only thing that keeps the couple alive. The remaining survivors they encounter are bands of cannibals who eat anyone that they can capture and kill, including their wounded and their own newborn children.

It is written so simply, the father and son traveling to the coast, which represents survival, but the simple narrative contrasts the author’s actual message on many different levels.

Underneath the graphic and disturbing pictures in this story are, what I feel, makes it an amazing story and has made an impact on myself. The struggle and fight that the father and son go through just to stay alive. They have no ultimate goal, no hopes, for all they know they are the only non-cannibals left in society- but they walk on.

2008 was a crazy year for me. I would not have believed that I would be working in Toronto at the National Post, one year ago, Dec. 25, 2007. I would not have been able to predict a lot of things that have happened over the year, which is basically a blur as I look back right now.

One year ago today I started dating my girlfriend Emily, who I owe so much to. She has helped me work through so many problems and frustrations that I have encountered over the year that we have been together.

She supported my goals when got the call confirming that I had got the job at the Post and encouraged me to follow my dreams and move away from my family, friends and everything I have ever know. She even came along for the ride and moved a few months after I did. I don’t know if things would have worked out like they have without her help.

I also got complete support from my family, like usual, to move across the country to one of the biggest cities in North America, to take pictures. Although my mom was not thrilled at the initial idea, she and my father did everything they possibly could to help me make it here. I think they have even begun to appreciate the two-province buffer a little, probably not missing the random phone calls looking for vehicle advice or extra money. (Not that they still don’t happen.)

I have had help from so many friends in the industry, and outside of it, that I cannot even begin to make a list. I have really never met anyone with a negative attitude in the photojournalism community that was not willing to encourage and mentor me one my path, (well maybe one, sharing my initials.)

When I reflect on the year, the cool things that I did, the awesome places that I went and the amazing things that I have witnessed are not what I remember, the people are.

As I publish this post, (in Ontario’s time zone,) I turned 23 years old, (I was born on Dec. 25.) I look back at my Road, I am eternally grateful for all of the friends, family and anyone else that helped me along the way. I can’t even begin to thank you all.

I am not sure what my coast will be, but the thought of my family’s support and love gives me the courage to face more challenges as I push my shopping cart on.

I wish everyone a great 2009.

Brett