Buffalo's snow for the week is now up to a record-setting 73 inches, but it's almost stopped: the lake-effect is shifting South to the ski resorts.

You've rubbed Aladdin's magic lamp and, as expected, a jinni has appeared. Unfortunately Aladdin set him free years ago (you saw the movie, right?), so he doesn't have to grant you three wishes. Still, he decides he likes you, so he offers to grant you just two wishes with a catch: the wishes must be for someone you feel close to, but must not be for yourself.

What would you wish? Who would you wish it for?

I've been thinking about this for days. Not this exact question, actually... this was just the easiest (and, I suppose, the corniest) way to explain it.

When you have time alone with your thoughts, and you think of someone you care about, what do you hope for that person?

I've pictured a room with all of my friends and family in it. I walk around the room, and as each face in turn comes into focus, I try to think about what I'd most like for that person to have, experience, forget, understand, do, or feel. What do I think they'd most benefit from?

It's almost a scary question... in fact, a number of my answers could only be made if I knew the person would never know my answer.

Which people would wish for me, without prompting? What would they wish? How well do they know me, and how thoughtful are they?

2001 has been a long, sad year with a lot of heartache and loss. There's been some good too, of course, but when I look back I see the death of Roy in January, the worst business year I've ever lived through (more on the personal side of that, soon), the still unbelievable events of 9/11, Dave dying in October... that's pretty much it.

With a year like this finally behind us, what do you hope for the people you love, in the coming year (leave out the world-changing events, please, if you're going to respond... those are too easy).

(Finally, I hope you're willing to discuss this, as I'm interested in the answers you'll come up with, but it's O.K. if you don't want to. I'm really just thinking "out loud".)