It had also been a difficult and painful year.

But for the Republicans in Congress it's as if those painful years never happened.

However, 2003 was certainly a painful year for fans, with the team's seeming inability to win close games a huge problem.

Chicago, after many painful years, is starting to work well.

If 2010 was a tumultuous, painful year in terms of spending on the arts then there is little doubt 2011 will top it.

Still, the first positive quarter in the last seven made the year only a little less painful.

Now, after two painful years, most Asian countries are emerging from recession faster than expected.

Over the past few painful years since his divorce, he had found a life with them, sufficient to itself.

Finally, it has been a painful year and obviously this will be the last time we have an open debate on the issue.

I'm talking about children pushing their way through the uncertain, often painful years from 5 to 15, give or take a year on either side.