Make a joyful
noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness, come into his
presence with singing.
Those words from
Psalm 100 were read by grandson Colin at the Thanksgiving service a couple
weeks ago– a good filter through which to look back on this year. Thankfulness for all of life, both the good
and bad days.
I started the year
with surgery and several procedures followed by a somewhat painful recovery,
and nearing years’ end, Judy has COVID. We are reminded that the pandemic is
still with us and that keeping healthy is certainly an ongoing challenge in old
age. I am thankful for good doctors and
Judy’s care. We’ve mostly been fine and try to keep a routine, swimming for
Judy and pickleball for me. We try to do
a few things for others through Church and other causes we support. Thankful for safety while so many suffer the
ravages of war, drought and injustice.
We try to savor
each day, as the years go by way too fast.
Joys of the year include a six-week camping trip to Montana and an
additional week on Orcas Island in WA with Daniel, Sarah and 13 yr. old Melke -
a time to relish the beauty of nature and the goodness of life. Another joy is being near Bret and wife,
Rachel, and their family here in Albuquerque, getting together at least once a
week for a meal. Proud to see Henry go
off to medical school, and the girls, Luci and Frankie, doing well in their
last year of high school. Colin is 8
years, - we enjoy his visits to swim and play games with us.
We are too far away
from Lani in Chicago – where granddaughter Leslie also lives, though we did
make a trip to the Midwest to see them and other family. We certainly enjoy video calls with Leslie
and her two adorable girls – Zalina and Lyonna.
– Alysa is moving from SC to
Calif and stopped here for one night on that long journey.
