I am knee high and ankle deep in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games from Vancouver, BC. I love watching athletes who are in the best shape ever and at the peak of their game. The Games actually started off with the death of an athlete. It was a sad moment for all the Olympic athletes, the fans, and especially the athlete's family. But I can honestly say, with the exception of curling and a few of the cross country sky events, there are very few 'Winter Olympic' events that are not treacherous and dangerous. Watching the games makes me want to try harder and to grit my teeth with determination to finish whatever task I have before me.
We are happy to report that my sister, Lisa, is now considered a 'cancer survivor'. Lisa endured countless injections of chemo and had her last dose of radiation in January. Lisa's zest and zeal for life has returned. She has shown so much courage and optimism as she battled the cancerous ordeal. Lisa endured her trial well and has shown us all how to battle our physical and invisible obstacles by her grace and example.
Where can we begin when it comes to our passions, that is our nieces and nephews! Cori and Kristi are both anxiously awaiting their second child. Kristi felt her baby kick for the first time this week and Cori is heading back to South Korea, when they receive the word, to pick up their son and Seth's brother. We have a nephew who returned in December from the New York, New York Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Another nephew left on a mission around six months ago for South Africa. A niece is filling out her paperwork so she can head out on a mission by the end of 2010. We have another wonderful niece who will be heading to an impoverished country to dig septic tanks for the less fortunate; three energetic and enthusastic nieces will be graduating from high school in May. Lynn and I have nieces and nephew out of college and in college, most of them are attending high school, middle school and elementary school. We were saddened to learn that several of our nephews were laid off this year and others had their jobs redefined because of the nation and world's economic condition. We have nieces and nephews who are exceptional wives, husbands, mothers and fathers raising wonderful children. The world continues to spin and move rapidly for them all. Lynn and I couldn't be happier or prouder of our nieces and nephews. We love them all so much.
Lynn and I continue to plod on with our lives. Our lives don't ever appear to be as busy as the rest of our families, but we often look at ourselves and ask, 'where has the time gone'? Lynn is still contracting his service with the Army Reserve. My assignment with Hartford Insurance ended on Friday. I feel sad for the lovely faces and friends that I will no longer see on a daily basis; at the same time, I am anxious and excited for what lies ahead.
Lynn and I are so grateful and feel so very blessed to have our family and friends. They enrich our lives, they continue to strengthen us by their remarkable examples, they love us unconditionally, and our family and friends support us in all our professional and personal endeavors.
As March 2010 rolls around, Lynn and I can honestly say, "WE ARE INDEED BLESSED!"
-Shelly
