January 1, 2023
Dear Family:
Today is Hayden’s Birthday (22?), Brian and Megan had an
anniversary last week, Jude Mic Packam was born last week, Emery got to come
home from the hospital (with a pic line in - however - her daddy is taking
care of it), Brad and Sheri are home from helping Kenlee & Jake with their
family challenges, The Schnell-Dougalls are home from Mexico, Jay and Alena are
home from Utah, I don’t know if Taylor and Kelsy are home from Arizona yet – I’m
sure they will be home soon. Haley seems to be weathering her 2nd
knee replacement in just a few months pretty well. I’ve enjoyed all the updates via texts, Instagram and Facebook. Thank you guys! I missed writing the last two weeks.
I missed going to Utah for Christmas. 😢😢 I realized a few days early that there was going to be an ice storm. I moved my booking to July (thinking about catching a rodeo). As it turned out, the flight was canceled. But I was able to connect with family so – all was well.
I had 3 gigs last week and
all went well. There has only been one New Year's Eve in the last 25 years that I haven't been playing music. The one last night
from 7-8pm was very rewarding. It is a privilege
to bring music that I love to people who are starved for my kind of music. It was a retirement home only a mile and a
half from my home. They were so thrilled
and many wanted to talk to all of us afterwards. This won’t last forever –
these are old songs and someday those who remember these old songs will be
gone. But in the meantime, it’s fun.
Here are a couple that I just posted on Youtube, from 12/31/22:
I guess I’ll keep
doing this until I can’t.
Today in church there were two sisters sitting in front of
me. Heidi Bruno and her sister and their
returned missionary Conner Bruno was sitting between them. I remembered all the emotions that come with
your son coming home from his mission and all the excitement, favorite meals
& desserts, girlfriends, cousins, plans for college etc. I was
especially touched when the two sisters leaned into each other and
whispered. It touched my heart – I miss
my sister Judy. It has been 19 ½ months
since she passed and not a day goes by without her coming to my mind. Thankfully Glennda, Jay and I have made a pact
to check in with each very frequently and that has been very sweet. It is
wonderful to touch bases with them almost every day.
I think the most precious gift that Heavenly Father blessed
us with is family. I didn’t appreciate
my sisters as much as I should have while we were growing up. They were there and I probably took it for
granted. Jay came along as I was just
starting married life. At this stage of
my life having the love and care of my siblings is an amazing blessing. (As you will all discover in time, when your
family grows up, leaves home for missions/college, get married and have
children.) It is the way it is supposed
to be, but I loved raising my family, family get-togethers and camping trips.
·
“Family is not an
important thing. It's everything.” – Michael J. Fox.
·
“The memories we make
with our family is everything.” – Candace Cameron Bure.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I spoke with Brent Pederson for the first time after
Sacrament Meeting today since the ward boundary changes. We spoke about Kenlee and their family and
about all they have been through. So I
guess the moral of the story is “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” You are strong Kenlee.
Have a Happy New Year and I remind you how much I love you
all.
Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne
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