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CHRISTMAS 2025
If we simply stop each day to show a single act of kindness…..if our thoughtful act
inspires someone else to do the same….if it multiplies across our city, state, and
nation,,,,the result will be a worldwide revolution of the heart.
I cannot remember when I have been so glad to have a year end as 2004 -2025! After
all the stress with the hurricanes and being a nomad for 4 months, having to have my
ceilings torn down because of leaks, 7 months of trying to heal from skin tears, and
concerns about our country and world, at last I am excited about a brand new
beginning. Through it all, I have been eternally grateful for my faith, my family, and my
friends, so no matter how crazy the days, there were ALWAYS blessings.
I spent last Christmas with my kids and grands in Portland, OR, and Seattle. One of our
fun experiences was meeting Dylan, the mascot of the Portland Pickles baseball team.
We had a gingerbread house making contest at my son’s home on Christmas Eve and
opened tons of presents. I bought everyone matching sleepers for a fun picture. Just
sad that I will be alone this year since my kids all have other commitments, and I cannot
handle another trip to Portland after 14 hours to get home at Thanksgiving.
In January I met my sister, her daughter and her granddaughter for three fun days at
Disneyworld. In March the Gawlik family came to the beach for a visit for Spring Break.
In May I flew to Portland for Simon’s high school graduation and also spent some time
looking at retirement places there. With both my daughters there, if I ever have a
serious health issue, I will probably have to move closer to them…..even though I HATE
the weather most of the year in Oregon.
This summer I visited my best high school friend growing up in Iowa at her home in
Illinois. We ate, drank wine, laughed for hours remembering funny stories and people,
and shopped till we dropped! The end of June I was invited on a short Caribbean cruise
with girlfriends. Although it was fun to be with them, I realized I am NOT a gambler! ;-0
In July I was invited to my client and friend, Jeff Speakman’s International Martial Arts
conference in Las Vegas. While my friend, Jane, and I were there, we went to
“Postcards from Earth” at the new Sphere. How I wish I could get there again to see
“The Wizard of Oz” spectacular!
In August I attended the Veteran Speakers Retreat in Washington, DC, a special group
of longtime speaker friends who continue to grow as human beings making a difference
at all stages of their lives. I was blessed to be chosen by the group as a “Legend of the.
Speaking Profession” in 2011 and this year am Chairperson of the Trustees.
In November I joined a group of women from Sarasota on a trip to Portugal – 4 days in
Lisbon and then a 7 day cruise down the Douro River. Unfortunately, it was cold and
rainy much of the time, but even in the rain the scenery with all the vineyards on the
river was gorgeous. We enjoyed the port wine, the castles along the river, a tuk tuk tour
around the city and fun shopping in Lisbon. Thanksgiving was spent in Portland with
friends and family.
One of the best blessings of this year was being asked to join a Widow’s Group with
several other women from all over the country who have lost their husbands. Another
was speaking for all the nurses at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, one of the premier
hospitals in the state. I continue to serve on the Boards of Lead Like Jesus, Tidewell
Hospice, and Guideposts and hope to volunteer at the Museum of Whimsy in the next
couple of months. I also love my monthly Book Group and my weekly Bible study.
I am eager to get back to my swimming a mile several times a week, going to a trainer,
and walking on the beach to get my strength back after my 7 months of 7 skin tears
doing no exercise and trying to keep my legs in the air to heal. I truly understand why
many old people (not me! 😉 often die after a fall because they lose their strength.
I am so proud of my family! Gretchen and Randy continue with their computer jobs,
Randy as a webmaster and Gretchen as manager of all online sales for several
boutiques. Owen is a junior at Portland State University majoring in Business and
Simon got a soccer scholarship to Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, as a
freshman. I got to visit their dorms when I was just there for Thanksgiving.
Garrett is taking a sabbatical from his tech companies, doing some consulting and
enjoying being on a rowing team while Ashley continues to ride and teach and care for
their horse, Rally. Gavin is in San Diego working with cars, his dream job. Kinsey is in
her third year of a 5 year doctorate in CA to work with children who have cancer. We are
all so proud of her – she will be the first “doctor” in the Glanz family! She is having her
ankle replaced in December as a result of all the chemotherapy she had for Leukemia in
high school, so we all will appreciate your prayers.
Erin has her own company, Collective Heart Agency, and she represents 7 lines of
women’s clothing. She does shows in San Francisco, New York, and several other
cities. She, of course, is very concerned about the impact of the tariffs. She has had a
difficult year as she had to put her precious kitty, Cricket, down this fall. Anyone who is
an animal lover knows the pain of that.
It is a very difficult time in our country and world; however, my prayer is that we can find
ways to concentrate on all the blessings we have and to focus on small acts of kindness
which really do change the world around us. Thank you for being a part of my life and
for all the ways you support and care for me. I wish you the most joy-full of seasons.
Blessings,
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