2018: The Year of the Family

This is all of us. I sent this photo to Tony for Christmas.
Here we are gathered together at Michelle's at Easter. 
 Josh was working his UPS job, but was with us in spirit, so I added his photo.

 

At Casa de Mama's on Christmas Eve, enjoying the holidays
at my new home. 

The year 2018 ended on a high note with the most wonderful family Christmas. We shared good food and Michelle's yummy cookies, exchanged gifts, played games, laughed a lot. Best of all is the unconditional love we gave and received, the very best Christmas gift of all.

My girls, Elissa, a graphic designer at the Sylvania Advantage newspaper and a dedicated volunteer at the Humane Society, and Michelle, a nurse at Toledo Hospital, are loving, wise, and  compassionate adults leading busy lives. I feel so blessed to have two wonderful daughters in full bloom. Their kids, my grandchildren Julia, Tony, Alli, Josh, Kyle, Chase, and great-grandchild Philip, are full of youthful energy, optimism, and great spirit. Who could ask for more!

Chase's Karate 6th Birthday

Chase, 6 years old, in first grade, is curious about everything, in those "magic years" when imagination soars. It's the greatest age, isn't it? Chase continues his Karate class, learning the moves with a bow and a kick. He had a Karate birthday, cutting his cake with a large Samurai sword. I think he's a yellow belt, not sure. He also takes soccer lessons, discovering what it means to learn a sport and play on a team. Life's great lessons. He's excelling in reading and math, and is a whiz on the computer. He loves to draw. He is recovering from having his tonsils and adnoids out last week, and tubes put in his ears, but he's a trooper. He's sheer joy!

Kyle, the best trumpet player, with
 his mom & me after a concert.  We're
so proud of him.

A Hakusai print for Kyle for Christmas.

Kyle, 16 years old, now happily driving a red Mini-Cooper, plays trumpet in the Southview High School marching band. He made first chair this year, a great honor and accomplishment. He's also in the school's Jazz band and Symphony.  He says "playing the trumpet is my favorite thing." We chat about it and his plans for the future. He'll keep playing trumpet for sure. "I'm thinking of maybe art administration," he said to me one day. I can see Kyle going in that direction. This year he's taken with Hakusai's "Tsunami," a Japanese woodblock print. His Mom, ever vigilant about nurturing her childrens' talents, gave him a wall hanging for Christmas.

Michelle and her kids at Wildwood, December 2018. 

Allison and Joshua

Alli at 23 and Josh at 21 are young adults learning by experience, growing into wonderful human beings. Alli is thriving in her special events job, breaking records, building up experience to move toward her goal of a satisfying career. She's thinking of moving to North Carolina or somewhere South where it's warmer than Toledo.  Josh works at UPS part time while taking computer classes at Owen's college. We have good talks about the amazing progress made in the world of computers and the internet. He still loves basketball and he is great with kids, especially Chase. Actually he and Alli spend lots of time with Chase, who thinks they, and Kyle too, walk on water! They really are the best role models for their little brother. It's heart-warming to watch them together, such precious moments.

Elissa and Philip on his 11th birthday

Julia, Jamie and Philip at Wildwood

Julia and Jamie are engaged and planning to get married this year. We are happy for them. They are hard workers and caring adults, aiming to buy their own home  and nurturing Julia's bright and funny son Philip, my 11-year-old great-grandson.  Philip delights in reminding us that "I love being an only child," but will this status continue?!

Tony, a kind and caring man who loves to read, is living in Chicago and exploring all the big city has to offer. Visiting him in Chicago was a highlight of 2018. My friend Teddy and I had the best time exploring the city with her son Andrew and my grandson.  Tony took us on a wonderful walk of his historic Rogers Park neighborhood, past several Frank Lloyd houses and right up to the Lake. It was beautiful.

Philip at the Library

Tony and Philip at jessie's
wedding in August

Life's a journey, and my grandkids are each on their own wonderful path. They want to travel, too. We reminisced about it at our holiday gathering. Julia and Tony remember their trips  to San Miguel and London, and to DC and Florida when I lived in those places.  Josh loved San Miguel and Alli loved Amsterdam and Cologne. They have happy memories of St. Petersburg, remembering Tampa Bay Rays baseball games, my Condo by the Bay, climbing an old Banyon tree across from our favorite restaurant, Moon Under Water.  Kyle wants to travel too. He's on vacation in the Bahamas now with his dad. He  looks forward to some trips with his Nana. I told him we'd take a trip when he graduates from high school next year.  Travel is definitely on my grandkids' horizon, and I couldn't be happier for them.  We're all dreaming.

Three generations: Me with my daughter Elissa
and her daughter Julia at Gust farms, October 2018

The Year of the Family. We are sharing traditions, making memories. Four generations. I feel so blessed to have the love and respect of my children and grandchildren, to be able to watch them grow. This is what makes me happy, and it will to the end of my days.

Remembering Elissa's beloved dog, Fluff, who passed on to doggie heaven. Now Elissa is surrounded by
dogs and cats at her volunteer work at the Humane Society, hoping to adopt a dog one day soon.
.