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Hopkins 2011 Christmas Greetings

Warm welcomes,
happy homecomings,
memorable moments. . .
wishing you joy at this
blessed time of year! 

Another year has come and gone.  Looking back, we celebrate our family and friends, count our blessings and journey through our losses.  Just when we think we have the “wisdom that comes with getting older”, life reminds us that we are still “growing up”!  As we share some of our journey through 2011, we look forward to reading about you and your loved ones.

TRAVELS

We love Hawaii!  With Rich’s cousins Susan and Rob and their families, we spent almost 2 weeks in late January in Kona on the Big Island.  Thanks to Rich’s trip planning, we stayed in a townhouse on the water.  It allowed us to watch whales breach, pods of spinner dolphins and surfers riding the waves from our deck.  Snorkeling, resting in the sun, walking, hiking and kayaking were enjoyed by all.  Always a treat is snorkeling and kayaking at Captain Cook’s memorial site.  We watched spinner dolphins escort a mother humpback whale and her new calf in the bay to protect them from sharks.  Sitting in a kayak only 30 yards away made it extra exciting!  It was so much fun, we are already planning a repeat trip for January.

Ireland has been on our travel radar for a couple years.  Planning started in earnest in March.  We were to be joined by Susan’s sister, brother-in-law and niece (Louise, Bob and Sara) and friends, Pat, Chris, Rae Ann and her sister Sheri.  We had vacationed with everyone before except Sheri.  The challenge was fitting all the places and activities into a 3 week window that started the last few days of August.  We started in Dublin, drove around much of the island’s perimeter, including in Northern Ireland, and returned to Dublin.  Kudos to Rich, Bob and Pat for their “wrong side” driving skills on “hope & prayer” narrow roads.  Except for Dublin, we stayed mostly in Bed & Breakfasts in smaller towns - Kilkenny, Dingle, Galway, Donegal, Port Rush and the Arin Islands.  Evenings were often spent in a local pub enjoying Irish beer and live Irish music.  Even though the weather was often rainy, and sometimes very windy, days were spent exploring the rugged coast lines, lush green valleys, and historical sites.  We saw lots of rocks, lots of sheep, but no leprechauns.  We even had an afternoon to visit the area where Rich’s great grandmother was born.  We found the people friendly, but learned that English with an Irish brogue is almost a foreign language. 

In early May we joined 8 of our friends for a relaxing weekend in Seaside, a small community on Oregon’s Pacific coast.  It included playing whiffle ball golf and flying kites on the sandy beach, with golf providing the greater challenge and entertainment.  With the strong ocean winds, your ball was as likely to land behind you as in front of you.  And when the rains got too bad, we played card games.

The same group of friends met at Fort Worden in early October for another weekend of play.  Fort Worden is a restored navy barracks located at the entrance to Puget Sound.  The 1982 movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” was filmed here.  All 15 of us stayed in the Officer’s House - very rustic, but made for a great gathering spot.  The fort is located right on the ocean, enabling moon-lit beach walks at night and beach-combing during the day.  It is also close to clamming beaches, so we challenged ourselves to find the restaurant with the best clam chowder.  Even the weather cooperated, and was enjoyed by all.

LOSSES

In April, just 2 weeks shy of his 85^th birthday, Susan’s father, Robert, died.  During the last 3 months of 2010, he underwent 3 amputations to his legs due to Periphery Arterial Disease.  He struggled  to recover and was making some progress, but he developed fungal meningitis in January and his body simply was not able to overcome the infection.  He is so very missed by all of us, but especially Susan’s mom, Irma.  They were married for over 63 years.  Susan was glad that she spent the month of December in Evansville to help both of her parents.  Dad’s humor, his ability to make many long-lasting friendships and his love for his family are among the many things we miss.  He lives in our hearts and memories.

Prior to Robert’s death, another friend, Tracy, lost his battle against an aggressive form of prostrate cancer.  We miss his unique humor and presence.  His wife, Becky, is now being comforted and supported by family and our friends.

VISITORS

Rich’s brother and family (Ron, MaryLee, Erin and Jennifer) travelled from Florida for a 2 week visit with family in Seattle and Oregon.  Their visit was timed so that they could join the Anderson family at Lake Mayfield for a few days.  They then traveled to Salem to visit Rich’s mother and other brothers.  We joined them a day later.  Seldom does the whole family get together.  Ron and the girls had a great time.  Unfortunately, MaryLee had debilitating back pain which prevented her from enjoying most activities.

FAMILY NEWS

We returned to Indiana in June for 2 weeks to help Susan’s mom.  Dad’s hospitalization and rehab extended over 6 months, resulting in a backlog of work needing to be done at the house.  Susan’s siblings and family who live close by always do so much.  We were glad to make time to now do our share of the work.  Susan’s dad’s family had a huge family reunion during that time.  It was good to celebrate, laugh and share old stories!

We made multiple trips to Salem to visit Rich’s mom, Margaret;  in early January for a belated Christmas, March, May, August, October and November for Thanksgiving.  She celebrated her 85^th birthday this year.  She was successfully treated for melanoma skin cancer, had surgery to remove a cataract from one eye, and has lost muscular strength – a natural product of aging.  Our concerns for her health continue to grow. 

Susan’s niece Sara still lives in the Seattle area.  We enjoy getting to see her at least once a month.  Besides dinner together, we have also been hiking, snow shoeing, and kayaking.  We also enjoy events with Rich’s Seattle cousins and his uncle George.

HEALTH NEWS

Yes, we are of the age where this topic deserves a few lines!  Susan continues to receive good news on her recovery of last year’s breast cancer.  Her Oncologist was initially concerned about her high level of a particular cancer antigen that is a marker of cancer.  A PET scan determined she is one of the 5% of women having a naturally higher level.  She would rather have this dubious distinction than have the cancer reoccur!  We continue to be grateful for the good news.  Rich had a routine colonoscopy and passed with “flying colors”.

JUST US

Our leisure days in retirement have been filled with new commitments.  For Rich, this includes: maintaining our home and our view of Lake Washington, managing and maintaining our two rental properties, and running Rich’s financial planning business, which continues to gain new clients each year.  For Susan, this includes: tutoring in reading and writing at the local technical college, serving as a mentor to Nitza, who is now a junior in high school, and participating in a weekly group at her church studying scriptures.  And for both of us, there is always yard maintenance!

We are still learning to make time for fun:  Season tickets to a local theater, 3 or 4 Sounders soccer games, a Mariner baseball game or two, walks to a nearby park on Lake Washington to attend summer concerts, and an occasional outing in kayaks.

As winter arrives and moves us indoors, we plan to launch into a new activity more fitting for our age - snowshoeing.  With the many mountains and logging trails near by, and encouragement from Susan’s niece Sara, we are just awaiting the arrival of fresh snow – probably next week!

May peace and plenty be the first
to lift the latch to your door.
And happiness be guided to your home
by the candle of Christmas

Rich and Susan