As the year 2013 fades away we are surrounded by our many blessings and are so thankful for our friends and loved ones. We also greave for those special ones - Tom LeClere and Mark Hollis who have preceded us to Heaven. It makes us especially grateful for our good health and our doctors who help us stay that way.
The year began on a very special note when Joy and Dan opened their home in Desert Mt., Scottsdale for us and four of our friends. We sat around the fire pit each morning and watched the sun come up and watched it go down over the beautiful mountains in the evening. What a privilege. It is a beautiful home. Their law practice has grown so that it is a welcome escape that they use often.
In June the whole family gathered at Deerfield Beach, Florida at the same hotel where
we stayed 5 years ago for Timmy and Alison’s wedding. This time we were celebrating the christening of their second son, Ryan. We set up camp on the beach thanks to Trish who supplied canopy, beach chairs and coolers. Smitty and I sat like royalty watching all of the children in the surf. The christening was the most meaningful we have ever attended and now we have 2 little red headed Timmys. Tim and Alison entertained us all in their lovely home. We are so proud of all of our little brood.
Suzie is traveling all over the country decorating homes from a multi million dollar one in Dallas to manufactured homes and apartments. I got to be a “go for” recently when she did 4 in Lindale and it was such fun seeing her in action. She is very busy and loves her work and her loft above her warehouse in Dallas.
Being a Girl Friday for a busy Dallas entrepreneur is perfect for Sandy. She keeps him organized and can take time off to visit Dani an the University of Kansas, travel with David and come see us occasionally.
We just spent a fun time with Joy and Dan and the children. They held an open house for their new office recently finished. It is right downtown in Ok City in the old black area called Deep Deuce. It is a beautiful old church built in 1921, was the center of the sit ins, hosted a national NAACP convention and Martin Luther King preached there.
Ii was badly in need of repair but most of the magnificent stained glass windows were in tact. The offices are in the balcony and below but the sanctuary was kept for the community to use for functions.
Our year has been a bit of a roller coaster. We put the house on the market (again) intending to move near Joy. Doris (our 99 year old next door neighbor who has become a part of our family) planned to go with us . She is in a nearby assisted living and would transfer to one near Joy. She loves Sam (now 15 and driving). We got a contract on the house and went to Ok, wrote a contract on one there and came back to find our buyer apparently didn’t qualify. We were so disappointed that we took it off the market and have decided for now to stay where we are. We have moved downstairs and are hiring more and more help. In August Smitty’s hip began bothering him (at least he mentioned it ) and we decided it was time to have it taken care of. He was scheduled to have it replaced 2 years ago but insisted that I have my knee done instead. The surgery went well but he had a reaction to the medication, lost 15 pounds and has been taking a long time to get back to normal. However, he is doing well and is looking forward to getting back on the golf course in the spring. He is very faithful to visit Doris every day and takes care of all of her needs.
We leave on the 17th for 10 days on Desert Mt. with Joy’s family for Christmas.
I still volunteer at the Bethesda Health Clinic, cook at the Catholic Soup Kitchen, work in my flower gardens and dabble in my crafts. Life is so good and we are so blessed.
We send our love to our friends far and wide. Have a blessed 2014.
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