CHRISTMAS 2022
Dear Friends,
Finally, it seems we are almost back to a “new” normal. As I write this letter, I realize how much travel I have done even though my business has really slowed down since Covid. Gratefully, I continue to be very active – swimming a mile, going to a trainer, and walking three miles on the beach or treadmill. I just thank God that my only health issue is asthma which has been under control for years. With each day, I am more and more grateful for all the blessings in my life – for my faith, for family, for friends, for health, and even though I am forgetting names more, I think I still have a pretty sound mind! 😉
I am also blessed with all the amazing experiences we have to take advantage of in Sarasota – the Opera, several theatre groups, the Van Wezel concert hall, the Symphony, and the ballet. Then for my brain and heart, I have my Bible study group and my Book Group which has been together for over ten years. (If you haven’t read “Have You Seen Luis Valdez?” by Catherine Ryan Hyde, it will warm your heart.)
January – On Christmas Day we all flew to Palm Springs, CA, where I rented a large house on the water for everyone except Gavin (working). We had fun at the zoo, renting a dune buggy in the desert, visiting an outsider art house called Robolights, hiking in Joshua Tree, doing puzzles, and discovering the goofy Republic of Slowjamastan.
February – Frank and I celebrated our 8th dating anniversary. He brings me lots of joy,
March –The Gawliks came for their annual visit. We had fun days at Busch Gardens, Mayakka State Park, Van Gogh, the Big Cat Habitat, and lots of beach and pool time.
April – My brother, Bruce, from Colorado came for a week. He is such fun to have as he takes out my kayak and paddle board and we even go fishing!
May – I flew to Portland for my birthday and Mother’s Day. Gretchen, Erin and I did a “girls only” 2 night trip to the Columbia Gorge Inn where all the movie stars and celebs used to go. Then the whole family went to the Timbers soccer game later that week.
June – June was a huge month of celebration. I did a program for Home Street Bank in Seattle, a favorite client, and then the whole family met at Garrett’s for Kinsey’s graduation from the University of Washington. We are all so PROUD of her –she graduated in three years even with being in constant pain from the aftereffects of the chemo after having leukemia. She hopes to use her experiences to work as a therapist in the hospital with children who have cancer. Later in the month Frank took me to Captiva Island for two days. Sadly, after the hurricane almost nothing is there anymore.
July – I attended the National Speakers Association in Nashville and got to reconnect with all my speaker friends from around the world.
August – Frank and I took a “bucket list” trip to the Fjords in Norway. The scenery was breathtaking – we started in Amsterdam and then went to Edifjord, Molde, Geiranger (the farthest north), and Bergen, the home of Edvard Grieg. I posted many pictures on my facebook page. Later in the month I attended the Veteran Speakers Network in DC. It is a lovely time of sharing with people I treasure.
September – I was blessed to take another “bucket list” trip with my friend, Mary Bensel, to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. It started in 1642 and is done only every 10 years. Over 2000 people in the little village participate in the 7 hour play which is in German. In the town there is a law that from Ash Wednesday 19 months before the play is presented, no one in the village can shave or cut their hair….so they all look like the people in Jesus’ time! We also got to see Mad King Ludwig’s Linderhof Castle and the Cinderella Castle as well as day trips to Innsbruck and Salzburg, the home of Mozart and the filming of “The Sound of Music.” September ended wildly with Hurricane Ian. Although we had to evacuate the island and were without water and internet for several days, we were so VERY blessed that we had little damage unlike our friends just 70 miles south. Please keep them in your prayers.
October – The most exciting thing in October was being a part of a book launch for an anthology I was asked to be in titled, “Wisdom Before Me.” The book for women is made up of 15 women’s amazing stories and what they learned to help others.
November – I am excited to be taking the Gawlik family and Erin on a Mexican Riviera cruise for Thanksgiving week. We are going to snorkel, zip line, and swim with the dolphins. We leave from San Diego, so afterwards I will spend 3 days with my 99 year old aunt. I adore her – my role model for staying active both physically and mentally!
December – I am having fun hosting some parties to show the new items from Erin’s company which is helping women in India, www.collective-heart.com, “Owned by Women, Made by Women, Loved by Women.” The money goes to provide housing, medical and dental care, and a fair 8 hour wage for women who were living on the streets. It is changing lives for women and their families, so check out the website.
Just a quick update on the family: Garrett got a promotion with Amazon as Director of Business Development and has taken up rowing as a pastime. Ashley is teaching riding and participating in shows with their horse, Rally. Gavin has moved to San Diego and is working for a car dealership. Kinsey is interning at Seattle Children’s Hospital and will be going to grad school this spring or fall.
Gretchen is working parttime as Marketing Specialist for several boutiques in Portland, OR, while Randy continues his freelance website work. Owen, who is a senior this year, is looking at colleges and enjoying having his driver’s license. Simon, a sophomore, is a great soccer player and is having fun with his new Hedgehog. They also have two dogs and a cat, so their house is always busy!
Erin is working diligently to grow her company and has also taken on two new lines of women’s clothing which she is representing in several parts of the county. She still has her two kitty babies, Clover and Cricket.
Our world situation is so full of hate and divisiveness right now that we really need kindness and love more than ever. Many of you know the mantra for my life from Mother Teresa, “Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier.” May you all find JOY in the months ahead, and may you be filled with the peace of the Lord, knowing He is in charge.
Blessings,
