To all our friends and family: May the Peace and Joy of Christmas be with you!
This year has been a bit different from our usual active running around. Karen has had two surgeries on her left knee, ending in a total replacement. In January the right one will be replaced. She is very thankful that she isn’t a four-footed creature! We have a rehab facility here at Eagle’s Trace and she will be using it again soon. Pat has been her gopher and chauffeur and is, she claims, much appreciated.
We have been busy in spite of it all. Pat has taught three different courses for the archdiocese and a nearby parish, as well as continuing with preaching and marriage preparation at our old church some 30 miles from Eagle’s Trace. He also facilitates a Bible study group at ET. Karen is on partial leave from the Cenacle Retreat House, but is still seeing a few people for spiritual direction and leading some retreats. She sings in the ET choir and takes part in the poetry group.
We have also taken two trips this year – a wonderful river cruise in Europe on the Rhine and Mosel: from Antwerp, Belgium to Basel, Switzerland – and a trip to Ohio and Massachusetts in October to visit friends and relatives, attend Pat’s 50th class reunion at Kent State, and celebrate the ordination of our good friend, Vic Norton, to the permanent diaconate. Pretty good for an ol’ lady with bad knees and a ol’ guy with a bad back!
The “kids” are doing well. Chris is still an Assistant Principle at Oakridge H.S., Kelly is still teaching math at Klein Oak H.S. Ken has a new position with United Recovery Systems (and a personal contract archiving materials for an architectural firm.) He is also a member of the archdiocesan choir which will perform at the dedication of the new cathedral in Houston. Tracey is still mom, teacher, and miracle worker. Deb is doing well in her branch manager position at McCreeless library in San Antonio. All are happy, healthy (for those at mid-life) and close-by for visiting. Nice for us.
Our nine grandkids are brilliant, talented and good-looking! Ranging from 16 to 3 years of age, they are a delight to spend time with. We are so blessed to live close enough to see them often. Among them are guitarists, pianists, cheerleaders, volleyball players, writers, craft and sewing people, and youth ministers who are also sports fans, doll lovers, and car-guys. Grandchildren are great fun!
We try to keep these annual letters to one page, so it’s time to end this year’s note. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May you have a wonderful Christmas and may 2008 be very good to you.