Merry Christmas
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “real” visit this season? We would love to cozy up with a glass of wine, a cup of tea or perhaps a warm toddy to hear your stories of 2017 and laugh with you about the fun times and wrap our arms around you through the stories of the “not so fun” times.
2017 has been fraught with disasters worldwide, natural disasters, political unrest, deep concerns for our environment and the physical toll on the bodies and minds of our aging cohort. But we, like you, have found solace in our abiding friendships, our loving families, the peaceful place we live and also being welcomed in places of beauty in far-flung corners of our continent and the world.
We began our 2107 with Bruce’s recovery from hip replacement surgery, the result of a break from falling on the ice.
Here are Bruce and Eliza, having our Christmas dinner delivered by our sweet neighbor Dennice in our entryway, because Bruce could not get up the stairs on his new hip. The table is made of two sawhorses and a couple of boards. We managed a laugh or two, despite the strange circumstances and Bruce’s discomfort. Thank goodness for a bed and bath on this level of our three-floor townhouse.
In March, Bruce was ready for an escape. We went to Molokai for a couple of weeks of R&R….just what the doctor ordered, with long hours gazing at the view, swimming in the pool and walking the quiet friendly roads.
And of course Bruce wrote. The manuscript of his second novel is now with his editor. A sequel to Finding Lien, the story of Lien’s recovery is another page-turner. The cover will look something like this amateur mock-up that I produced.
We both belong to writers’ groups here on Salt Spring and feel very lucky to meet once a month with skilled writers who are astute but gentle critics!
April found us in Crescent Beach for a reunion with my dear sisters, Nancy and Rosemary, who I do not see often enough!
After my hip replacement in late May (planned and performed by an excellent surgeon in Arizona), we set off on a road trip in August, across Washington, Idaho and Montana where we visited the McBrides and then up into Alberta where we attended the Gerbitz’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Back down through the Rocky Mountains with smoky days due to the forest fires raging through the province. Our couple of days with Eliza in the Slocan Valley were a treat, relaxing on her farm and eating fresh vegetables from the garden.
Can’t forget to mention that while in Arizona we attended a fete in honour of Jess Devaney, retiring founder of Tours of Peace, Vietnam Veterans. Fabulous to see so many “trip buddies” there.
Undaunted by all of that; we were ready to get back to Vietnam, leaving on September 20th for six weeks.
At Sun Moon Lake the food was notoriously bad! How unlike Taipei, where we feasted at street markets. and local restaurants. Thank goodness Le Ly found this Chinese restaurant and ordered some good dishes.
We travelled with our neighbours, Dennice and Ted. On our stop in Taiwan for a few days we connected with Le Ly Hayslip our longtime friend in service in Vietnam.
As always our time in Hoi An was rich and a little frantic! A bonus this year was having Sesame; our 13-year-old Vietnamese “grandson” join us on a couple of our projects. His facility in English enabled us to have deeper conversations with all the people that we have served for many years.
Talking with Ha Thi Quy, a survivor of the My Lai massacre Sesame showed empathy and maturity. We are very proud of him. He also helped us at the Home for the Aged with translations.
The envelopes beneath the hands of Ha Thi Quy and her son (who lost an eye, an arm and a leg in the massacre) contain funds to alleviate the poverty within which they live on their meager government pensions.
Last weekend Bruce popped down to Monterey, California to see his kids, Cindy and Randy and his granddaughter Savannah, hosted by lovely cousin Anna, in whose warm house they enjoyed some relaxed family time. We wonder sometimes why fate, luck and the gods have deemed that we should live such a distance from our children. The Slocan Valley, California, Vietnam…that’s a lot of ferries, taxis, rental cars, and airplanes to see all of our fabulous progeny!
So many stories to tell! Come on over, fill these chairs and tell us about your year!!
We wish you a Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah!
May your 2018 be filled with the blessings of health and happiness.
