Alas, I wasn't able to send a Christmas card to everyone I know and love so if you didn't receive from me, please know I'm thinking of you...all my cyber friends and family...and wishing you the most joyous Christmas ever. My traditional Christmas letter reads more like one of my blogs...so why not share it here...
Dear Ones,
2014 –What a year! And, just like every other year it was
well-balanced. There were joys and sorrows, delights and despairs, happiness
and hardships. More than any other year I am aware that life goes on… until it
doesn’t. I didn’t expect my mom would die so quickly after her cancer diagnosis.
Her cheerful spirit and my rose-colored glasses led me astray. Yet in spite of
the sadness, I (we) had a hallowed season of saying goodbye to Mom. I felt like
she was teaching me, by good example, how it’s done. She passed gently and
peacefully. And I am lucky in this…I do not grieve as those who have no hope in
heaven.
13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen
asleep in him… 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)
That was last year, December 2013, and
soon 2014 will be last year. Oh my, what do I have to show for it? For one
thing I’ve got my husband to hang out with full-time, and he seems delighted
about it. He officially retires at the end of this month, but vacation started
November 6th. In that time there’s no end to the fun he’s having:
shot a turkey, drove us to Florida for 2 weeks, had Thanksgiving here with our
two grandsons and Aaron (2nd son) and Amy, Adam (3rd son)
and Alicia, and he hunted every single day for the past 2 weeks. He relished
the pure joy of being outside communing with God and nature. His commitment to
the hunt paid off when he harvested a big doe. There will be meat on our table
all winter long. A successful hunt (or not) matters little. In his words, it
beats going to work.
How do I like having him at home? I’m in
housewife heaven. He shares the household duties like a champ and he’s such
good company. (Yeah, I know, I married well.)
2014 found us tackling some home
renovations. We moved our bedroom downstairs to the room we started out in 40
years ago and added a master bath. In our living room we had a new hardwood
floor and 2 six-foot sliding glass doors installed. One door faces the front yard,
the other faces the back, each offering spectacular views. On cold days we lay
a fire and enjoy the ambiance – which is especially delightful during the
holiday season with stockings hanging from the mantel.
We’re grateful every day for what we have:
each other, our home, the fields and woods that surround us, a pool in our
backyard, our eleven year old dog, Phoebe, our grandchildren, adult children,
in-law and in-love children as well. We’re thankful for our families on the
Bruce side and the Henning side. We are blessed with church and church family,
both our new church and the old. How fortunate we are to have friends near as
well as those far away. We rejoice in life and the giver of life.
Make no mistake, it’s not perfect (that
would be heaven), yet we see God’s hand and His goodness in all things. My dad
is doing well, though he misses Mom every minute of every day. Our kids are
healthy and reasonably happy as they make their way in the world. Nathan still
lives in San Jose, California, where he works at his church as an associate
pastor, office manager, and worship leader. At the same time he continues his
education. Aaron and family still reside
in State College. He serves as lead pastor at the CMA church. Amy is busy being
a full-time mom and pastor’s wife. Their boys, Grant (7) and Maxwell (4) are
precocious, adorable, and absolutely delightful children. Adam is a captain in the Army reserves. He
and Alicia live outside of Butler in West Sunbury. Both are gainfully employed
in government jobs. And, they have 2 chickens named Terry and Red, who provide both
eggs and entertainment. David is in Colorado, working full time and pursuing
his music career part time. His band Chasing May keeps him busy following his
heart’s desire.
That’s a
glimpse of 2014. And now, onto a new year with great expectations for 2015… the
best is yet to come! May that be so for all of us.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Much love to you from us,
Tom and Betsy
Tom and Betsy
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1 comment:
Betsy, what a beautiful message, Thank you for sharing. By the way, I have just been diagnosed with lung cancer and await furthere decisions. Will I see you in Portland?
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