The big jet is
in the air,
I’m California
bound.
Can’t let my
work schedule slow
these Christmas
Greetings down.
Oh yes, lots has
happened
in this fast
paced 2002.
These verses are
our way
to send the news
to you.
Like most years
there’ve been many joys
and a lot of
things to delight the soul.
But there will
also be some sadness,
And “real life”
that needs to be told.
To include peaks
and valleys…is OK.
It’s what makes
us know we’re “alive”
And moving on
into tomorrow
with assurance
that we can survive.
A drive to
Nashville is just four hours now.
For a weekend in
February we did run;
Combined seeing
“Grandy and Poppa”
with grandson
Ryan’s Lads-to-Leaders fun.
Opryland Hotel’s
a nice place,
Ryan sang and
spoke very well.
And my parents
are always happy
when one of
their kids… “sits a spell”.
Mickey and Frank
Rizzuto
came by in the
month of May.
Best friends are
always welcome
when ever they
pass our way.
Mother’s day saw
Mae with…“mixed blessings”
Son Russ planned
a special day…his treat.
But alas, Mae’s
wrist was broken…
when she fell
from her bicycle seat!
It has healed
just a bit crooked.
Sometimes… on
comes the pain.
Maybe it will
have to be worked on,
but it’s not her
nature to complain.
In the spring
Mae’s sister Jenny called,
Husband Chuck ..
“ melanoma”… heard her say.
A shock…a blow…
yes, all of that,
nothing to do
…but to pray.
So all summer we
did that…prayed,
as doctors
treated and ran test.
Went to St.
Augustine to see him…
sick…yes, but
with a spirit that was the best.
A week at the
Elia’s beach house,
swimming and
sunning most the day.
More trips to
California were coming
“Relax while you
can” is what I say.
Chuck passed the
last week of August.
They had been
married just two years.
Words…they can’t
tell the sorrow,
A time for
weeping…a time for tears.
Mae and Cindy
drove to Florida from Atlanta
Russ n’ Janet
brought Suggie and sister Cindi too,
A time for the
family to be there…
so in from
California I flew.
I have learned
some “life lessons” from Chuck
About enjoyment
n’fun…as life you spend,
And I hope if
those sickness trials come to me,
I can have his
kind of spirit at the end.
After labor day
it was back to San Francisco
This time Mae
went for four days.
I had to work
long hours,
but the dinners
often had a view of the bay.
We were planning
a trip to South America.
Cindy Elia would
join us October 17.
We would tour
three countries,
and see some
sights we’d never seen.
And so, it
happened just like that.
Off to Chile,
Argentina and Brazil,
The scenery was
magnificent,
Crossing the
Andes on a gravel road gave a thrill.
There were tango
shows and real gauchos,
And sights that
make you stand “in awe”.
Seeing what God
has done in nature,
often gives the
biggest thrill of all.
November was
eventful with trips
A flight took me
to Nashville
My high school
class called reunion
Seeing friends
and family was a thrill.
At Thanksgiving
it was Valdosta
Jimmy Spivey’s
the place for the dinner.
Suggie warmed us
with kindness, so
Seeing that
family was a “winner”.
Our children and
grandchildren are all OK.
Cindi has her
faux painting business under way;
Brent is in
junior ROTC, knows pro football,
Sure, the
winning Saints make his day.
Russ bike rides
the “Silver Comet Trail”.
Janet’s job
sometimes has her “fly away”.
Colin turned
sixteen this summer,
so a car and
drivers license came his way.
So you see there
has been some news.
Some … joyous
and some … sad.
Just being here
to relate it at Christmas,
makes me
thankful…makes me glad.
Thinking of
Chuck … I realize,
that life is
short…and time is fleeting.
And things like
being “connected” are important,
so …I’ll keep
sending these Christmas greetings.
Whatever the
future …long or short,
Whatever to
trials may come to be,
Live each day
with faith and joy,
and have a happy
Two Thousand Three.
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