Every year, as December 31st arrives, I find it more and more difficult to believe that another entire year has slipped away from me. "Have I done any good in the World?" Have I given my all and tried to think of others instead of just myself? Have I conquered fears or risen above my short-comings? I honestly can't say for sure. But, I know the past 365 days have been full of experiences that have continued to shape me in the winter of my life.
This past year I have experienced new adventures and family time together. I have experienced times of sadness and moments of deep reflection. I have spent long days of indecision and stepping forth on new paths. And there were many, many days when I took the opportunity to give thanks to that God who created us and knows our path and leads our footsteps. He has given me many blessings this past year.
Twenty-thirteen has been a busy, productive, emotional year full of joy, sadness, giddiness, and sometimes falling down that slippery slope and somehow managing to pick myself up and continue on the path.
VACATIONS: Dean and I have visited Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, family in Washington and spent meaningful days together with Billy and friends in Branson, Missouri. I made a trip to Utah and Nevada to be with my family there. Each trip took us away from our comfortable home in Lincoln City, and found us experiencing new adventures in new places.
CONCERTS: My husband is a generous, giving man and he knows that I love to go to Concerts. This past year we enjoyed the amazing talents of "10" gifted pianist on stage at the same time with "10 Grands". Their performance was at the Schnitzer Auditorium in Portland. It was an amazing show, with amazing music. For Christmas, Dean gave me Concert tickets to Michael Buble at the Rose Garden in Portland. We were "up close and personal" with that one and I enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want it to end. We stayed 2 days in Portland and explored parts of the city (on foot) that we had never explored before. Back in Lincoln City, we went to see an exceptional young man perform on the Chinook Winds stage. His name is Scotty McCreery who has a magnificent bass voice and has grown into an amazing entertainer. He is 20-years-old and was a winner a few years ago in one of the TV Talent shows. Other entertainment we enjoyed was in Branson, Missouri. There are so many good shows there and we saw many of them. From the Presleys, to the beauty of Chinese Ballet in "Marco Polo" to the Chinese Acrobats and many others, we were entertained in Branson.
But, my favorite concert of all was when Billy came to town and performed at our Community Center as a solo act. He and Ingrid entertained us all. I love to watch the young man my "boy" has become. His music has matured right along with him. And every piece is his own. How he keeps them all in his head, I do not know...and still he creates more. He also joined Dean and I with our Christmas Concert at the Community Church. He played 2 difficult accompaniments with the chorus plus one "on the fly" composition of his own. Somehow, I managed to snag him to also play his cello for my church's Christmas Sacrament Meeting. He played "Silent Night" with a soloist and a trio of young girls, and then played along with the Choir as we closed with that number. His gift never ceases to amaze me.
VISITORS: We don't often get visitors in our home, or even nearby, but we did have some special people stop by even if it was just to say hello. The Lennis Clark's traveled from Utah to stay in the World Mark in Depoe Bay. We only got to visit for a very short time. The Bruce Trent's came from California and stayed a night or two. Joan has been my friend since we were 3-years-old. Dean's Dad made a solo trip from Washington and stayed 3 or 4 days. It was great to have him in our home. I got a surprise visit from 2 of my nephews--Steve and Mike Davenport-- who were passing through on their motorcycles and popped in to visit with their old "Auntie!" It was a great visit. And, for Christmas, Dean's brother, Dave and his wife, Miriam and their son, Zach brought dad back for a Christmas visit. We had a great time.
THE HAPPY: When I went to Utah in June and July, I got to stay with my sister, Chrisie, and be with her through some hard days. Though the days were filled with sadness, they were also filled with joy as I bonded with my little sister and we have become very close. I visited Debi and JerriAnne and got to see my #6 Great-grandson--Trey Thompson, 1st son of Randi and Travis. He was born in March. I also got to visit with my daughter, Heather and her family in Las Vegas, Nevada for a week. I am always happy when I get to be with my children. In November, Debi's sweet step-daughter (who I embrace as my own granddaughter) gave birth to a baby boy, Ryder! What a great name. In February, my grandson, Scott Messick returned from his Mission in South Korea...and then he married his high school sweetheart in the San Diego Temple in August. I was not able to attend.
THE SAD: In April, Dean's beloved mother, Betty Mickelson, passed away after a very long battle with CHF. Though mom is free of her suffering, she is sorely missed. Her death was preceded by the death of her sister, Ruth, by just a few short months, Ruth's husband, Darryl, also passed away just weeks before mom. Several family members were placed in Hospice Care. Dean's cousin, Lorraine, gave up her home and moved to a care facility in Gresham, OR. She has Cancer, and has opted not to treat it. So, she remains to this day, getting weaker and weaker. My sister's husband, Bob Kump, began his long battle with the enemy "Death" in May of this year. I flew out to be with Chrisie while she tried to make sense out of a very sad situation. He went from surgery in the VA Hospital in SLC to rehab to 3 different care centers and back to the VA for more surgery. In the end, he was placed on Hospice Care and died on December 15th. I was with Chrisie only a couple of weeks, but I wish I could have been with her through the entire illness. My heart reaches out to her with an abundance of love.
Dean changed jobs in September. It was a leap of faith for him to jump ship at Walgreen's, where he has worked for nearly 6 years and take a part-time position at Walmart in Newport. It is a bit of a drive for him on the days he works, but the relief of stress and the fulfillment of promises of a better position has paid off in great measure. He is so much happier there and more relaxed at home. Thank you, Walmart, for giving me back my husband!
I have been kept busy this year. Retirement is not for sissy's! Besides my daily challenges at home, keeping the home picked up and running, I have my two callings at Church which challenge me sometimes. I have learned that the challenges in my life are the experiences that help me to grow. I decided to try and return to Tax Preparation by re-taking the H&R Block Tax Preparers course. It didn't seem to be as easy as when I took it 8 years ago (and it wasn't really easy then!). I took the Exam on December 20th, and, at this writing, I am awaiting the results. When I was in SLC, my two daughters (Debi and JerriAnne) and I did the "Walk for the Cure" for the Huntsman Cancer Center. The Money they raised went to help with Research in Cancer for the Center. It was a great day and I managed to do a 5K walk without really getting tired. I think I could have done a 10K!
And so, in only a few more hours, we will say good-bye to 2013 and welcome in the New Year with a little apprehension and a lot of anticipation for new adventures that may lie just around the corner.
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