Dear Friends,
Another year is ending and who could have predicted all that has happened in 1992? We have seen the world in turmoil and although that is not new, new areas of unrest and warfare fill our newscasts and our minds. Places such as Mogadishu and Bosnia-Herzegovina roll off the lips of anchorpersons these days – places most of us were unaware of just last year. Natural disasters have devastated this country and others – earthquakes, hurricanes, forest fires, tornadoes and typhoons have changed many lives forever. And into this cauldron comes the Prince of Peace to touch our hearts, to give us hope, to teach us about love and caring and everlasting life. Once a year we remember. If only we would remember every day!
This year for the Camerinos has been one of many peaks and valleys and not many plateaus. In May, our first granddaughter, Kirby Michele, was born to Chris and Kelly. She is a charmer (of course) and has won the hearts of one and all. Pat had the privilege of baptizing her and once again reaped the benefits of his call to the Permanent Diaconate.
Then in June, we traveled with a group of 50 to the Holy Land. It was a wonderful experience! Pat particularly enjoyed the hour we spent in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. We could have remained there all day long, remembering what was spoken there. Karen was moved to tears at the sound of the well at Nazareth where Mary and Jesus must have come every day to fill their buckets. We both found the “authentic” places to be more uplifting than the “traditional” ones, most of which are surrounded by fences or covered by churches. In any case, we want to go again some day and would encourage you to make the trip.
We also traveled to Eagle, Colorado where Deb and Joe are living now – a scant half hour from Vail. The Rockies are gorgeous and it was good to see them with our almost newly-weds.
Now for the valleys. We learned last year that Karen’s nephew, Steve, was infected with the AIDS virus. Karen spent some time in Ohio with her sister Tami and a lot of time on the phone as support to Tami and Steve. We lost Steve on September 9. He was a charming, witty, talented and caring man and he is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
On November 9, Karen’s mother died in Ohio. Once more the trip was made to celebrate Peg’s life and to grieve her passing. Karen’s dad and sister are left to comfort each other in Ohio. Tami has her son Jeff, daughter-in-law Sharon and a dynamo grandchild, Devon, to help her through the bad times. There are times when the distances between Texas and Ohio are very great; this is one of them.
Back to good news! Ken and Tracey are expecting their second child in February. Their son, Jordan Michael, is 16 months old and lots of walking (talking?) fun. We look forward to new life and more joys of being grandparents.
Pat is chugging along at Baylor College of Medicine during the week and at the parish several hours on nights and weekends. Karen is still on the Ministry Staff of the Cenacle Retreat House and spends her time in spiritual direction and retreat work. She also has another passion: counted cross stitch. She has begun a seemingly-unending project of making Christmas stockings for all the family, eleven in all! It keeps her out of trouble, Pat says.
Our love and prayers go out to all of you. May you have a blessed and happy holiday season and a peace-filled new year.
N.B. Over the years Karen created twenty-one Christmas stockings for relatives! In addition she produced several cross-stitched illustrations and samplers. Given her arthritis of the last few years, she has purchased completed Christmas stockings for our great-grandchildren! Good things sometimes require modification.