I cannot believe today is the last day of yet another year! Why, only yesterday it seems as though it was only just begun. I am sitting at my desk on this 31st day of December, 2022, and I am trying to recapture all of the events of this past year. There were many!
In February, Dean was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and that threw him into a long debate of whether or not he should have the surgery of just go straight to the radiation therapies recommended by his Oncologist. It was a long debate! At the conclusion of what seemed like a lifetime, he opted to see a Urology Surgeon in Phoenix who did Robotic Surgery. A couple of weeks later, he drove himself to his cousin/s house in Phoenix who took him to the hospital for the surgery. I had to stay home, because I don't drive and I couldn't go into the hospital with him anyway. I felt so helpless...all I could do was pray and wait.
The surgery went well, and in a couple of days, he was able to drive home. I was glad to see him again and glad that I was able to assist with his recovery. That recovery period was a slow process, but we managed to get him over the hump and back to the Doctor for a follow-up visit. I was able to go with him this time. The Doctor said he was doing fine and ordered a PSA test in a couple of weeks. That test was a little high, so he would have another one in another few weeks. Again, it was high and going up. At this point Dean consulted again with his Oncologist, who talked at great length with us about why his PSA was up and he recommended radiation therapy...the one treatment we had tried to avoid.
And so began four weeks of radiation treatments. At the end, his PSA was at a decent level and we were relieved. Cancer and its treatments are not for sissies! For now, it is all behind us. He still has to monitor his PSA levels and each time we pray for good results.
My children are doing pretty well. Mark is struggling with the loss of his teeth since his oral Cancer and treatments. After the gums healed, he was able to get "new teeth," and he has joined my club of learning how to tolerate these foreign bodies in our mouths. (I got a whole new set myself, as the old ones were wearing out and not fitting well anymore!). Kim is enjoying her roll as Grandmother of 10. We enjoy the reports and pictures. Debi continues to be active in golf, although she has had to give up softball! She is awaiting a shoulder replacement in January! She just wore the darned thing out over the years. She also battles skin Cancer, like her mother!
JerriAnne is continuing to love here career with the blind school in Springville, Utah. Oh, how she loves those children. Heather works much too hard and was asked to give up one of her jobs... the Real Estate market is suffering right now, so they laid her off. That has been a blessing in disguise for her. What's this I hear about a planned trip to London next year? I'm jealous! In August, we shared her surprise 50th Birthday Party in Las Vegas with Rich, Elissa and a lot of family and friends. That was a wonderful party! And last, but far from least, is Billy. He has pretty much settled into his new/old life in Redmond, Oregon and tells me he is very happy and "peaceful," as he puts it. We miss him here. He and Monica did come here in October for a visit and we just couldn't get enough of him. He was only here for 2 days!
n July we ventured a trip to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico to visit with my sister, Chrisie! We had a wonderful time. We talked Hal, my brother-in-law, to come with us and I really think he enjoyed himself. We even went to see Sue (Chrisie's friend) perform at the local Elk's Club. She really puts on a great show! All inb all, we had a wonderful trip. We even stopped in Hatch to pick up some green chili's. Chrisie and Sue helped Dean and I get those chili's stripped and put in baggies and frozen to take home! Dean loves those things!
The last couple of months have been pretty quiet around here, except we did travel to Laughlin, Nevada for Thanksgiving with Hal and his granddaughter, Stasia and her husband and baby, Lennix. It was a most unusual Thanksgiving celebration, but great to be with family again. After that, we made a little detour to St. George to see Mark for a couple of days. He recently suffered a spider bite to his left hand and his right thumb. The left hand required surgery! Poor guy...he just can't seem to catch a break these days!
Dean did surprise me with the honor he was given to play "Taps" at Military Funerals at the National Cemetery in Prescott, as well as several other sites around the valley. He is now serving his country in a very special way and I am so proud of him.
We celebrated the Christmas season with the many Concerts in the area. Dean was involved in about 4 of them. It is a busy season for him and I get to be a grateful audience! My days of participation are behind me. We did sing a duet at his Church one Sunday, and that felt good to participate in something once again.
The Christmas season brought so many memories of Christmases of old to mind and I had a wonderful time this year decorating the house and the tree, baking goodies and just loving the season. The realization that family and friends are ever more important in my life was a glorious one. And, of course, keeping the REAL reason for the season uppermost in our minds gave me so much peace and love for the season...probably more than I have felt in years. Somehow it made all of the chaos going on in the world pale by comparison. Thank you, Jesus, for being born into this crazy world and for all that you did for us and for all that you taught us. Your sacrifice has been such a great example for me in my life.
And so, with the day dwindling away, I bid a fond farewell to another year with these words...
...At the end of the year, when your heart needs a lift--get involved with Christmas music, immerse yourself into sending out Cards and Letters to loved ones, buy or make special gifts for loved ones, enjoy the sparkling lights all around you, and smile every time you turn on the lights of your own tree...and most of all cuddle in your heart that beautiful little baby, born in a cattle stall and laid to rest on a bed of hay. Do a kind deed for someone in need. If you do all of these things with love and thanksgiving, your heart will be full and the season will surely be bright.
God bless you, every one!
And now, we prepare to welcome in a whole new year. Though we don't know what experiences it will bring, we do know that each and every day is in the Master's Hands and All is Well!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
