For the first time in a long time, I did not write a Christmas letter in 2012. The biggest event in 2012 was the loss of my father in March. I wasn't able to compose a letter that opened with the news of his death and then carry on with all the happy, but inconsequential, things that occurred following that devastating loss.
This year, not quite a month after the first anniversary of losing Dad, my sister Lora lost her battle with cancer. She was 11 months my junior. She fought the cancer bravely, and enjoyed what time she had left, taking short trips to the desert and out around Yuma, AZ, where she lived. In June of 2012, two of my other sisters and I met in Phoenix and drove to Yuma to visit Lora and her husband Howard. We had a short but very nice visit, and I'm so glad we were able to do it. Lora was very excited to see us (we hadn't seen her in about 8 years), and I think the visit perked her up a bit.
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However, the radiation that followed our visit didn't work and she began to fail. She died March 29 of 2013. I still miss phoning her and talking with her. Although expected, her death still leaves me with a sadness. Growing up, we shared a bedroom, secrets, hopes, failures and successes.
Although I miss Lora, I know she's in a better place and I am glad she is no longer enduring the incredible pain she experienced.
My longtime goal was to pay off my mortgage and retire in September 2013. That did not happen. I did pay off the house in February. What a huge relief to get out from under those monthly payments.
The retirement was postponed because I decided to replace the roof on the house. I experienced serious sticker-shock. So instead of retiring in September, I continued to work, trying to earn back the money spent on the roof. (By the way, I love the new roof - a lovely brown color; metal instead of the original 60-year-old shingles and a definite difference in energy savings for this old house.)
In July, we started what would be the first of two furloughs at work. I ended up not working one day a week for seven weeks, shorter than originally planned, but disheartening nonetheless.
August found me in Loon Lake, Washington, near Spokane, visiting my grandchildren. It was a wonderful week, full of love and laughter. I absolutely love seeing them, and I wish it could be more often. Because of space, I stayed at a nearby hotel, the Loon Lake Motel. It boasted small cozy rooms and a lovely garden area. We all drove to the nearby Turnbull National Wildlife Preserve, where we saw a moose, lots of birds, swans and a big variety of plants.
The deer was hiding in a garden by Loon Lake.
My return from Washington found me preparing for the second furlough, starting October 1. It was solid time off until our Washington people could reach an agreement. This was the third furlough I have experienced in my career. It angered me and pushed me to reach a decision. The day I returned to work, I compiled a packet and filed for retirement. My last day is Feb. 28, 2014. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.
Those are the big things. I continued to do the smaller, fun things I do every year with my friends Mae and Cindy.
Mae and I took our annual train trip to Denali National Park early this year. The park buses were not running yet and everything was pretty much still frozen. It was a nice, relaxing trip anyway. This is the Nenana River seen from the train.
Georgeson Botanical Garden, as always featured gorgeous flowers and this waterfall in the children's garden.
Sandhill cranes performed a little courtship dance one evening when we stopped by Creamer's Field.
On our annual trip to Murphy and Ester domes, we had a spectacular view of Mt. McKinley. My latest camera allowed me to zoom in on it.
I hope you have all had a good 2013 and that 2014 brings you nothing but good health, much happiness and lots of love. Happy New Year.
