Dear Friends,
Last year we began our annual letter with a heart-felt hope for peace … for a desire that war could be prevented or shortened. Our desires were not to be met as the killings continue and no true conclusion is in sight. We have, nevertheless, survived another year and can only hope and pray, as we have in the past, that people can learn not only to accept differences but to celebrate them as well.
Our personal lives continue with anticipations we have held over the years. We preserve both our hope and our certainty that Emmanuel is, indeed, with us and will be with us on our journeys. Much has happened in 2003; these are our summaries.
While Joe has been serving as the new director of the library in Loveland, Colorado, Deb has had the opportunity of using their season tickets for “The Texans” to see several games with Karen (it’s called “female bonding.”) The rest of her time has been in directing several adult reading/discussion programs at the library in San Antonio and in remodeling their house in hopes of enticing the right buyers.
Ken and Tracey had minimal problems in finding someone to buy their house. In fact they sold it so quickly that they had to move into an 1,600 sq. ft. rental until their new home is ready (sometime between Christmas and New Year’s!) In the meantime they continue to home-school Jordan, Dillon, Christina and Thomas … while keeping track of Victoria and Olivia as well. All of this is the result of Ken’s finding a position with Mobius, Inc. a software company with headquarters in Rye, NY. (He tele-commutes from home … another reason for a new, larger, house.)
Chris and Kelly along with Kirby and Kennedy live a more quiet life … one that involves only teaching high school biology or mathematics, coaching football (they won the division title) or cheerleading … along with transporting, watching and encouraging Kirby in her basketball events and Kennedy with her acting talents. All of this helped them pass the time between Chris’ classes for his Master of Education degree (to be completed in 2004) and Kelly’s successful recovery from breast cancer surgery and treatments. (Her new hair looks great!)
Karen and Pat’s hair continues to turn grey; at least he is thankful that there still is some, considering the genetic possibilities. Our own aches and pains have been kept (relatively) at bay over the last year. Perhaps this is a result of prayer and our spirituality as we continue our ministries at the Cenacle Retreat House and Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community.
Despite these on-going events we did find time to visit Ohio in August (during the blackout) for Pat’s 50th high school reunion and to take a two week vacation in New England in early October, just in time to see the height of the fall foliage in New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, to visit the locations of former lives and to renew friendships. (A side trip to Washington DC and one to New York City … for a visit with cousin Donna … were bonuses.) We hope that next year will allow us a planned trip to see the Netherlands and Belgium during springtime.
In the days ahead we will continue to pray that the world can see the fulfillment of that promise made two thousand years ago … Peace on Earth to those of Good Will. In the meantime, we wish each of you peace and happiness in your own lives.