Just so you know I'm not a total slacker--just a sometime slacker--I started a letter last month and...my computer died. Well, the computer did die, but it was after the deadline, so there is really no excuse. However, I've been forced to learn how to take better advantage of the capabilities of my iPad, so there is a silver lining to the loss.
December was marvelous. At the beginning of the month I got to go to California to be with Olesia and the Richins family to "help"--in truth, to cuddle the new one and play with the "old" one (4 year old Sara)--after Jenna was born. She is a darling, calm and cheerful baby who eats and sleeps without difficulty--much different than a preemie, which was a welcome revelation for Olesia! Now that Jenna is two months and more, her mother reports that she has begun to smile at those she loves. Wish I were there!
A couple of days after returning from their blessed abode, Bruce and I flew to NY for business meetings. Of course, he did the business and I had the fun (I drove into NY to attend the Manhattan Temple), but we got to have fun together when we drove to Bob and Ruth's home for the weekend. They have such a lovely home and a wonderful spirit there. We felt both pampered and fulfilled as we enjoyed Emma's company, helped out at home and at their ward. They are obviously well loved--and very needed! My only regret from the visit is that we don't live closer so we can see them more often.
Three days after our return from Connecticut, Katie and the Fam came to visit. The kids were on "track-out" from their year-round school, so we had the delight of their company for three whole weeks. Jeff was able to stay for about 10 days but then went back to put his nose to the grindstone. (Actually, he loves his job, but we were reluctant to part with him!) Susannah and Dave were able to stop here for a few days both coming and going from Illinois to Oregon, where they were visiting Dave's parents for Christmas, so that was a double blessing. We loved having the house full of people we don't often get to hug and kiss in person!
We kept them busy going to museums (the Natural History, the Leonardo, the Gateway Children's Discovery and Ogden's Children's Treehouse), playing in the snow at home, sledding at Golf Mountain (what the kids call the big hill down at the golf course), and skiing at Solitude for the oldest ones with Grandpa and Daddy Jeff. We baked mini heart cakes, Christmas cookies and personalized pizzas as well as savored seafood, munched on meatballs and polished off piles of animal pancakes. We watched Christmas movies, read Christmas stories as well as the Christmas story, and the grandchildren put on a Nativity complete with multiple costume changes and hay in the wooden doll bed-cum-manger, thanks to Uncle David. We went ice skating at Gallivan Plaza, sat mesmerized through the Nutcracker Ballet and laughed ourselves silly at a children's theater performance of "Click Clack Moo" based on the book by the same name. The girls got haircuts, the boys got race cars and the adults got time to talk after the little ones were in bed.
And Grandma Jean got sick--influenza, complete with fevers & chills, body aches, sore throat, cough, stuffed sinuses and no voice for two weeks. In one way it was a blessing because I stayed home with 5 month-old Alyssa during several of the events, which made it possible for her to nap and others to participate who would have missed out. Gratefully, the Lord had somehow prepared our home with enough foodstuffs to feed the small army that was in residence, and the other adults were a big help, so I just coughed and snuffled and whispered my way through the weeks and finally found my voice as they were getting ready to go home. The best blessing was that no one else got sick--well, Bruce had a short week of it, but when you've been "near death's door" as I was, the sympathy level goes down for lesser cases. Actually, it was a relief that he rallied in a few days because we needed his cheerful fill-ins during Grandma's relapses!
One of the most special events was attending the temple with Katie, Jeff, Susannah and Dave on our 40th wedding anniversary. There is no better "payback" than being with your children in the house of the Lord and knowing that they are teaching their children the gospel of Jesus Christ and working to be good examples of Saints to them. That evening when we got home, each of the children and grandchildren participated in a recital for an adoring audience of two: Bruce and I. That we have such a wonderful posterity is amazing; when I look back at how young and immature I was, I am so grateful to my eternal companion for his patience, forgiveness and love that have allowed me to improve. I know, I know--there is much more improvement needed, so thank heavens for eternity, which may be enough time to effect the complete change!
By the time they all departed for warmer climes (they left in the middle of a snow storm and arrived to 70 degree weather!), it was time to get back to work. Soon after diving into committee work and Bruce into business work, we took a quick trip to Illinois to check on his dad, who is slowly "losing altitude" in the memory department but continues to be cheerful and physically able to care for himself, even if a little slower and less steady. At 96, his example of enduring to the end with grace is instructive.
The middle of January found us in sunny Florida. Bruce had a business meeting in Naples and suggested that we add a few days and make it a 40th anniversary celebration. I couldn't say no to that enticing invitation, so we spent four fun and fulfilling days in the warmth. The ocean-side resort where we stayed was lovely, but since the water was only 66 degrees, there wasn't much inducement to spend our days at the beach. As a matter of fact, our "beach day" was Sunday as we strolled along the sand in our Sunday attire and bare feet. We got plenty of curious looks, me with my pearls and flow-y skirt, Bruce in his white shirt and rolled-up dress slacks, but it was a lovely, warm and overcast afternoon to enjoy the sound of the waves, feel the soft sand underfoot and observe the pelicans diving into the surf for their dinner while sandpipers skittered along the shore. Truly some of God's beautiful creations!
The other days were spent in the Everglades, a place neither of us had ever been. We rode on an airboat through the mangrove canals, drove down a dirt road and counted a score or more of alligators soaking up the sun on the banks of the river, and hiked through a bird sanctuary on a boardwalk situated on four different ecosystems. It was fascinating to see the towering 600 year-old cypress trees that had been seedlings when Columbus first set foot on this continent, as well as the palms, pines, air plants, lilies and ferns that support the myriad birds and animals found there. We watched a family of raccoons forage under the foliage and small lizards dart across the boardwalk to hide under the handrails. We thought of John when we spied a red-shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, anhingas, a wood stork, trees full of great white egrets, blue herons, ibis soaring right by our heads with dangling pink legs, a flock of black vultures, a red-bellied woodpecker, a bright yellow pine warbler and even a painted bunting, which with its crayon-colored blue, red, green and yellow patches, is reputed to be the most colorful bird in North America. And the fresh seafood was absolutely delectable!
We arrived home to several feet of new snow. It is still winter in Utah--surprise! Now that February is here and the groundhog has seen its shadow, we are beginning to look for a cessation of hostilities from the weather, but the four feet of snow banking both sides of the driveway belie that expectation.
However, we keep warm thinking of each of you: the new babies, the new engagements, the new jobs, the new starts in all sorts of ways that provide opportunities for learning and growing. Our prayers and warmest wishes for success and happiness go out to each of you; we feel privileged to have family as our best friends!
And not to disappoint you who look forward to the inevitable sharing of testimony at the end of a family letter (!), IT IS TRUE and worth every effort it takes to live so that there will be no empty chairs!
All our love,
(Aunt) Jean & (Uncle) Bruce
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