CHRISTMAS LETTER 2021
“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend.”
Merry Christmas to all my friends and family! When I first started thinking about this letter and the 18 months we have experienced with Covid, I thought I would have very little to write. However, once I went through my calendar, I realized I really HAD made the most of these months, especially since finishing my shots in early March. Thankfully, none of my family members got the virus, so that was the greatest blessing of all
As I think about the past year and all the isolation, some things I am especially thankful for are: Zoom and Facetime to stay in touch with family and friends, Netflix for long lasting series like “Heartland,” Parenthood,” Yellowstone,” “The Crown,” and “Outlander,” walks on the beach, outside dining, streaming to “go” to church, and my faith to keep me hope-filled.
On the business side, my speaking dates almost completely dried up because of cancelled meetings. I did do several Zoom keynotes. However, I desperately missed the audience interaction, the energy and most of all, talking with people afterwards. I kept involved through doing webinars, podcasts and TV interviews, and I also wrote a new book, “Exhausted, Confused, and Ticked Off! Hope for a New Beginning When Change Has Done You In.” it is a short book with a concrete description of the process of change, lots of coping ideas, and a Control Inventory to help you find hope in the midst of change. The theme of the book is that “All change comes bearing gifts.” I hope it will help many people find those gifts since change has become a constant in our lives.
I think we all breathed a sigh of relief when we had finished our shots, feeling a bit more secure about returning to some semblance of “normal.” A Chicago friend came for a visit, Frank and I did a day trip to the flower show at Disney, and in April I had a lovely trip to Grand Junction, CO, to be with my sister and two brothers for the first time in 20 years, since Brian lives in Chaingmai, Thailand. We shared MANY laughs and memories of our growing up in Iowa!
In June I flew to Portland to take my two daughters to Skamania Lodge for a long “girl’s weekend.” We did a wine tour, had massages, went shopping, and again, shared many memories. Then I got to go with the family to Simon’s 8th grade graduation.
Over July 4 the whole family was invited to Garrett’s beautiful new vacation home in Camano Island, WA, where we did “crabbing” for the first time ever! From there, I went to Las Vegas for the National Speakers Association convention. Even though we were careful, 14 of the 400 there ended up with Covid – and all were fully vaccinated! With Delta life changed again!
At the end of July, I flew to my hometown of Harlan, Iowa, for the memorial service of one of my friends since we were 3, Linda Booth Larsen.! It was a bittersweet trip but also a joy to get to see many of my childhood friends. We had such fun going back to the places where we hung out – the country club, the town square, and the Dairy Queen! Since I was partway there, I went on to San Diego to see my precious 98 year old Aunt Joan, who still does water aerobics, dances, and plays bridge (my role model). I also got to see my three cousins who live close.
That was the end of my travel for awhile. I was supposed to speak for my 23rd year at the National Society for Human Resource Management convention in Las Vegas in September, but I decided it would be safer to do my presentation on Zoom. Not nearly as fun, however!
Later in September Frank and I flew to Lexington, KY, for the wedding of his granddaughter, Caroline. It was a GORGEOUS affair with 12 bridesmaids! Then Kinsey, my only granddaughter, came for her first visit in five years since she was diagnosed with leukemia. It has been a long, hard battle, but she is the strongest person I have ever known. Although she is now cancer free, she still will have to have both ankles replaced because of all the damage the 600+ days of chemo did to her bones. She is currently at the U of Washington where she is planning to be a Childlife specialist and help other children who are in the hospital. I am so VERY proud of her! We had fun spending time on the beach, talking, getting massages, and shopping till be dropped! 😉
October 1 -4 was my first “vacation” trip since covid. Going to the Balloon Siesta in Albuquerque has always been on my bucket list, so this year my friend, Nancy, and I actually did it. It was a spectacular experience watching 500 huge balloons rise up in two hours. The only drawback was that we had to be in the lobby at 4:15 am!!!! Then we spent 3 days in Santa Fe, NM, one of my favorite cities. We stopped at Chimayo, a spiritual heritage site, toured the Georgia O’Keefe Museum, and went to Meow Woof, an experiential creative of dozens of artists. From there, we went on to Huntington Beach, CA, for my Guideposts Board meetings. Ten days later I went to Louisville, KY, for the Lead Like Jesus Global Gathering and stayed with dear friends, the Bonuras. The last week Frank’s whole family came to his daughter’s in Atlanta to celebrate his 83rd birthday, so it was a very BUSY month!
In November I hosted two parties to share the products from my daughter Erin’s new company, www.Colllective-Heart.com. It is a collaboration with disadvantaged women in India who create products from Erin’s designs and the prints she selects from women all over the world. Her byline is “Owned by Women, Made by Women, Loved by Women.” You can order lovely gifts on her website and help support the women in India.
Garrett and Ashley are in Redmond, WA, where Garrett works for Amazon, managing the Alexa team, and Ashley teaches riding classes and takes care of their horse. Kinsey is in college and Gavin has moved to San Diego to follow his passion of customizing cars. Erin, Gretchen and Randy are in Portland, OR, where Erin is running her company, Gretchen is Ops Manager for 4 boutiques, and Randy does freelance web designing. They have been a great help to Erin as well. Simon is in 8th grade, plays soccer on the HS team, and Owen, who is interested in computer design and architecture, is in grade 11. They are a happy family and spend lots of time camping and other outdoor activities.
I was blessed to spend Thanksgiving with Frank’s daughter’s family in Hickory, NC, and I will be in Portland for Christmas and then taking the whole family to Palm Springs, CA, for the week after Christmas. May God’s love surround you and your family and keep you safe in 2022.
“No matter who we are, we begin and end with family. The work will wait while you show your child the rainbow, but the rainbow won’t wait while you do the work,” ~ Patricia Clafford
Blessings,
