Thanksgiving 2022

 

November 27, 2022 – 11:30pm

Dear Family:

News:   

·        Happy Birthday to Sheri and Emery last week; (we have a couple birthdays in December coming up – Marissa and Tanner)

·        Emery got to come home from the hospital finally AFTER  THANKSGIVING

·        Thanksgiving happened in Oregon, Washington, Chile and Utah.

o   Brian and his whole family were together

o   Packams were in the hospital

o   Tanner & Haley went to San Antonia after dropping Thanksgiving off to the Packams

o   Mike’s boys are in Connecticut

o   Don was with Ben, Lacey and her family

o   Glennda and Scott were home in Corbett

o   Jay & Alena were home in Ocean Park and then spent a couple days at the Oregon beach

o   Haley and Steve were in Nevada/Arizona?

·        I finally met my great grandson Cole Giles. 

·        Amy &  Mike gave the Tesla it’s first road trip to Spokane and I went along.

·        Lots of wonderful food on Thanksgiving and family activities

·        AND AMY CAME DOWN WITH COVID THIS MORNING

We all had such a wonderful time at Brad and Sheri’s home (which is beautiful – by the way).  It was decorated for the holidays and there was room for all of us:  Brad, Sheri, Amy, Mike, Me, Tayor, Kelsy, Cooper, McKay, Riley, Corbin and Cole.  Riley and family arrived a day late, because Allegiant Airlines wouldn’t land in the fog on Wednesday night, so they arrived Thursday afternoon. Carter being in Chile on his mission was included in every prayer.

Amy was in great health until this morning when she woke up.  I heard her say, my cough is different today.  When we sat down in the car to come home about 10:30 all of a sudden it hit her; cough, headache, body aches, congestion – in general she felt horrible.  We all just got a text from Mike a little while ago that she tested positive for Covid late this evening and he notified all of us.  Mike and I seem fine at the moment.  I had Covid in July and August, so my antibodies should be up (hopefully). 

During the last week I’ve been reading a 22 year old book by David Baldacci who is an author of murder mysteries, suspense, thrillers.  This book was a novel but based on the life of his mother and great grandmother.  The setting was 1940’s in Virginia.  There was a forward and an afterward written by the author dealing with family.  You know what a sap I am about family so I thought I’d share some of the things he said 22+ years ago.  I liked what he has to say and you might too. I just happened to read this book during Thanksgiving week when our family was together - literally or via text or FaceTime, Facebook, etc.

David Baldaai from the introduction to his book, WISH YOU WELL (2000)( Inspired by the life of his mother and grandmother)

 “When we reach adulthood most of us assume we know everything there is to know about our parents and other family members. However if you take time to ask questions and actually listen to the answers you may find there is still much to learn about people so close to us …..Oral histories are a dying art which is sad indeed for they show appropriate respect for the lives and experiences of those who have come before. And just as important they document those remembrances, but for once those lives are over that personal knowledge is lost forever. 

Unfortunately we live in a time now where everyone seems to be looking ahead as though we deem nothing in the past is worthy of our attention. 

The future is always fresh and exciting and it has a pull on us that times past can never muster. Yet it may well be that our greatest wealth as human beings can be discovered by simply looking behind us.”

 

 

“I will never forget that the passing down of memories is the strongest link in the gossamer bridge that binds us as people. “. … what we hold in our hearts is truly the fiercest component of our humanity “

 

“I want my children to know where they came from - what their ancestors were like- how they struggled persevered - the mistakes they made- the failures they suffered - the triumphs they achieved - isn’t that how one’s values and character are built.” 

 

Judy, Glennda and I with our families recorded our Dad’s oral history when we were all on a camping trip many years ago.  Aunt Margaret made a special trip to Idaho to record her brother Grant’s oral history (Grant, Margaret and my Dad were siblings).  I wrote my personal history and in addition, many of my remembrances are included in these weekly letters.  I’ve read a few of David Baldacci’s books, but this one was totally different and got me to thinking about my parents, grandparents and ancestors again.

 

We all will have Amy in our prayers for a fast recovery and hope everyone else doesn’t get it. 

 

I love you all.  Be well this week

 

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne