The proverbial old man that is the departing year is now ready to turn his back and head to the depths of oblivion. Left behind will be events and physical evidence of his brief presence in our lives. There will be a plethora of memories, sad for some, joyful for others. The year 2010 may be a year of failure or time of achievement. Like a game of sports, it may be a season of devastating curve balls or a period of heart-stopping home-runs. And yet, judging from life’s track record, I am inclined to believe that the outgoing year is filled with a motley of those experiences that are staples of our mortality in which we have no monopoly of either one of life’s opposing forces. Its truth is safely etched on the pages of the Scriptures:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the
Heaven.” – Eccl. 3:1
Such is the season – the year 2010- for our family that has expanded from five brown-skinned little people that came from the old country 31 years ago, to seventeen multi-colored souls- white, brown, and shades in between - that are united by one common denominator – family. Separated by distance but united by love, we share each other’s victories and losses, triumphs and defeats, and help to carry each other’s burden which can engulf and swallow anyone when left unaided in the maelstrom of life. Grateful that those burdens are light, we face the coming year with hope as we bid goodbye to the old, a year that gave us many wonderful blessings from a loving Heavenly Father
Cris’ cancer, that took 90% of his stomach and esophagus more than 2 years ago continued to be on remission and he is s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y regaining some lost weight. He is now officially retired but keeps himself busy attending a computer class in the local college, doing occasional volunteer work in the church, and taking some tax preparation work during the tax season. I am still engaged in a full-time job, working for the State of Nevada as Staff Development Director in a local hospital. We are both busy in our church callings, Cris as the prayer coordinator and myself as the second counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and as ward historian. We travel frequently to Utah and California to visit the family but we also indulge ourselves in some R& R opportunities that we sometimes take together or with some friends. Cris was in Houston to visit his brother in July while I went on a cruise with some female high school friends to Northern Europe in August, then together, we went to Mexico in September. We had some friends from Canada who came to visit in November that also gave us the chance to travel to some areas of interest in Utah and California.
Our children and grandchildren are doing well and continue to thrive in their respective chosen field. Cherry and Greg’s family is in constant state of activity as their five beautiful girls are all involved in different pursuits – swim meets and practices for Kaylie who is now 15, and stands 5’4; Brooklyn is 13 and enjoys sports; Angie is 11 and plays the piano; Madelyn is 9 and a prodigious little gymnast; while Livvy, 6, the baby of the family, is still taking it easy and spends time with their dog Mojo and cuddling to mama.
They are all “A” students with their motivation coming either from within or from some parental discipline. Greg continues to manage their business (www.telosrtc.com) while also serving as bishop of Lehi 30th ward, and Cherry remains the Relief Society Meeting Coordinator. They go on vacations during school breaks and were in Hawaii for 2 weeks in August.
Pierre still lives in California and continues to enjoy his single status. He is busy pumping growth into his budding internet business (http://www.pierrerivera.com ) while also continuing with his consulting work with Disney. He just formed a company with a partner for business expansion and to better serve the needs of his growing clientele. He is a doting uncle and does not miss the chance to be with his nephews and nieces. Everyone came (including their dogs) to our house for Thanksgiving and Pierre is coming from California to drive with us to Utah this Thursday for Christmas.
Charmaine and Brad continue to live in Saratoga Springs, Utah with their 5 children that include a set of twin boys, Ethan and Ammon, who are now in their “Terrible Two” stage. They are so cute and delightful but will keep anybody in a state of alertness and physical movement because they’re in to everything but they keep us happily entertained with their endearing innocent antics. Charmaine is a stay-home mom, of course, but she dabbles in writing for some internet website or does some work for her brother’s business while also serving as the second counselor in the Young Women Presidency. Brad is busy in his job as a comptroller and he also participates in marathons that afford travel activities for him and his family. Their three other children, like Cherry’s and Greg’s, also excel academically and are as busy in extra-curricular pursuits. Megan, 11, is attending dance classes; Morgan 9, goes to piano lessons and plays basketball, and Braden, who just turned 7, plays baseball. Cris and I went with them when they brought the kids to Disneyland after Thanksgiving.
May we all see the bright spot that looms somewhere in the horizon as we welcome the coming year. There are challenges faced by many around us brought about by health issues and the economic downturn, and like a ripple in the pond, its effect touches all of us one way or another. But if we continue to march onward in faith with our eyes single to the glory of Him who said, “Be still, and know that I am God”, that faith will bring us safely across the most frightful chasm. May you all be well and rest assure that the light of friendship still blazes in our hearts despite the busyness and distance that hinder us from frequent contact. As we celebrate the birth of the Savior and say “hello” to 2011, we wish you a warm and blissful year that will create tender memories which, we hope, will last through all of life’s coming seasons. May the future be filled with gentle years that we will remember with fondness as seasons of the heart.
Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment