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May you be lifted to a place of peace as you begin your Christmas celebrations!
This feels like a year we were seldom home. Our calendar tells us we spent 155 nights in some bed other than our own. Gone 42% of the year! Some of those nights were for vacation and others were for a journey we didn’t choose. Much of 2016 was focused on our aging Mothers.
“A mother’s heart is a patchwork of Love.” On April 20, Susan’s mom, Irma, passed away. In early January she had a mini stroke and went to rehab after hospitalization. During that time she developed complications that put her back into the hospital. In late February Susan spent a week with her trying to give her sisters some relief time. Her health continued to decline, so in early April the family brought her home for Hospice care. Susan and her siblings rotated shifts to provide 24 hour care for 2 weeks. We each had time to thank her for all the love and sacrifices she made for us. All 8 children were with her when she passed. We miss her so much. Christmas was always a very special time for her so this year we will honor her and celebrate her. We would like to acknowledge all the care that Susan’s sister Louise gave Mom. Day after day she was there for her. And to Sondra, who provided relief and support to Mom and Louise. They are angels!
We made 5 trips to Salem to visit Rich’s Mom. Margaret broke her left arm earlier in the year, the same one partially paralyzed by previous strokes. Although healed, it remains painful to move. This prevents her from using a walker, and she now relies solely on her wheel chair. In August, she had radiation treatment for a cancerous growth under the same arm. It appears to have been 100% effective. Margaret’s health has declined slightly during the year. Standing is now difficult for her due to reduced strength. Trips to Salem allowed us to take her to dahlia and iris flower farms during their blooming peak, which she greatly enjoyed. In November, there was a large family gathering to celebrate Mom’s 90th birthday. The many travelers from the Seattle area made it extra special since she rarely gets to see them.
February: We practiced playing grandparents by flying to Chicago for 2 weeks to care for Susan’s nieces Caitlin and Brooke and puppy Ginger. Parents Alan and Lori escaped to Hawaii to celebrate a delayed 10th anniversary. We really enjoyed being with them. Not sure whether we or their parents had the better vacation!
March: Anxious to escape Chicago’s cold, we spent 2 weeks in Hawaii with Rich’s cousin Susan Thorson and husband Murray. Our first week was on Molokai, where we visited the former leper colony on the isolated Kalaupapa peninsula. There we admired 3-D relief wood carvings made and given to a church there by Susan’s father Clarence. Our final week was on the Big Island. We stayed right on the ocean, enjoying beautiful ocean views and sunsets. We snorkeled multiple times in Kealakekua Bay (our favorite place in all Hawaii) where Rich played with his new underwater camera. During a visit by kayak, we were briefly surrounded by spinner dolphins.
May: We returned to Evansville to attend the high school graduation of our twin niece’s and begin the process of emptying Irma’s house of 60 years. Although she was a minimalist in her possessions, there was much to be sorted through before beginning repairs to the house. It was an intensive effort involving all of Susan’s siblings. A lot was accomplished in our 3 weeks there, but much remained to do. Susan and her 4 sisters enjoyed a much needed “sisters day” with pedicures, food, drink and lots of conversation!
June: Susan noticed vision
in her right eye had gradually become distorted. The diagnosis was a macular
pucker, a wrinkle on the eye associated with aging. Surgery by a retina
specialist removed the pucker. Recovery was more extensive than cataract
surgery. A side effect of this procedure is cataracts develop much faster. Susan
will now undergo cataract surgery this January. The earlier surgery makes this
more challenging. Such are the joys of aging!!
Right after Susan’s surgery, we joined Rich’s brother
Ron’s family in Salem. They flew out from Orlando, though only for couple days.
We always enjoy seeing them and daughters Erin & Jennifer.
September: We took an 11 day road trip to Yellowstone National Park. It was our first visit. We were joined by Rich’s cousin Susan Thorson, husband Murray and his sister Marcia. All of us marveled at the colors of the hot springs, numerous geysers, and magnificence of the waterfalls. Saw lots of wildlife, including elk that took over resort lawns and bison escorting caravans of cars. Other sightings included bighorn sheep, antelope, and bear.
October: On our bucket list was a trip to Portugal and Spain. We joined 4 other Seattle friends for a 23 day guided tour of the back roads of both countries. It was a small group of 16 people, and we enjoyed getting to know all of them. We had a great guide who educated us on Spanish life, culture and history. Besides seeing historic churches, landmarks, and incredible scenery, we participated in many hands-on activities; like painting porcelain tiles, bull fighting lessons, making goat cheese, harvesting olives and cooking lessons. Cities visited included Lisbon, Rhonda, Madrid, Bilboa and more. We often stayed in smaller cities in distinctive accommodations – like a monastery or castle converted into a hotel. A return trip is under consideration to visit Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast– which wasn’t included.
November: We returned to Salem to spend Thanksgiving with Rich’s family. We also completed most of our Christmas shopping.
December: We fly to Evansville for 10 days. Even with the passing of Susan’s Mom, the Spindlers will continue gathering the family for Christmas. This will be followed by a trip to Salem for a Hopkins Christmas the first weekend in January.
Projects for Rich this summer included having our heat pump replaced, replacing our refrigerator and dishwasher, and cutting down several trees to maintain our view of Lake Washington. His financial planning practice kept him busy and out of Susan’s way.
Our wish for you this Christmas season—May all that is meaningful, beautiful and gives you joy be yours now and throughout the coming year.…
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