One word describes this year: Change. There have been many happy changes, a few sad ones, some personal, and as we know many national and global. We're just happy to be able to say we are still here and celebrating Christmas 2016.
With the death of Tim's mother Gwen Morgan - the last of our parents - on December 21, 2015, just after her 98th birthday, we knew we would have a full schedule this year of settling her estate and sorting through a lifetime of treasures. Gwen and Ken Morgan were talented artists, and loving grandparents, and they are missed. In January, as we started planning out our year, and going through the above mentioned -uh-hem- treasures, one thing became apparent - we would not have time to attend to many pressing issues without retiring. Having given my retirement notice at the end of January, the rest of spring was a blur, trying to see as many of my patients as I could before I left, wrapping up cases, and a million details. By my last day on April 29, I was ready, as my own health was suffering. But the clinic did hold a wonderful luncheon for me, where I was able to say good-bye to so many great people. I miss (most of) my patients, and my co-workers. The final days were full of hugs, tears, gifts, and thanks from my patients and colleagues, which really touched me. Even while out around town I have run into a few patients who have expressed their appreciation and it makes me feel like, ok, maybe I did help some people. I am still active as a volunteer in a quality improvement committee at the clinic and am thinking about my role in the future. Meanwhile, Tim was working. Even though he hadn't had much work for months, he suddenly had a couple of projects that needed his attention. I learned long ago with his job in air pollution consulting, if there is a major event - wedding, vacation, out-of country guests, or Christmas, all of a sudden he will have a deadline for a major project. But by July 1 - he was done! From his first years, beginning in January 1977 with Bechtel Corporation in San Francisco, to the last nineteen years with Environmental Science Associates in Petaluma, Tim served his profession and his companies well. A frequent winner of ESA's monthly photo competition, Tim was honored with an exhibition of his photos, and a reception in the ESA San Francisco office. We also had a great time celebrating separately with the crew of ESA's Petaluma office.
In February, Tim attended his first Goju-Kai karate promotional in forty years, and with a lot of stress and sweat, finally advanced to brown belt. In June Tim returned again to the Goju-Kai promotional but this time with his son-in-law Martin, who participated in his first karate promotional, with all of us attending. Martin, as a beginner, also did very well and advanced three degrees. Looking forward, Tim and Martin are currently training hard for the next promotional this coming February and is hoping to finally achieve black belt rank and Martin his green belt. In March, we traveled to Palm Springs for a mini-vacation and visit with Amanda, renting the apartment next to hers. We went to the Salton Sea, and Salvation Mountain, both great photo ops, hiked on Mt. San Jacinto, and took her dog Bucky for walks around the neighborhood.
In June, Amanda told me she had tickets to see Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at the Hollywood Bowl, with her friend Kenton, who is another millennial also subjected to the show by his parents while growing up. I found a ticket to the show, and a cheap ticket to LAX, carried on one small backpack, and spent the day exploring LA, going first to the Santa Monica pier, then the LA County Museum, by bus and metro. Amanda and Kenton picked me up, and we spent a beautiful evening seeing one of Keillor's final shows! It was worth it, and it was a little test for me to venture out on my own, post-retirement. On Tim's birthday, we were joined by many friends and family at beautiful Morton's Warm Springs to celebrate our birthdays and joint retirement. Thanks to much help from our family, we had a delicious barbecue, and a lot of pool time! This summer we helped Tim's sister Kim move from her house in Sausalito where she has lived for thirty-plus years, and she's very excited to be moving into a brand new home in the Delta area. Also in July, we drove to Oregon, joining our friends Bruce and Martha to continue on together to the Vancouver Folk Fest. We rented a cute AirBnB apartment and had a great time, spending an extra day to explore that beautiful city. In August we drove to Squaw Valley to attend the Wilderness Medicine conference-full of vital medical rescue techniques (seriously!) for our next trek on Everest (right). We also had a really nice visit with my brother Don and sister in law Dolores in King's Beach.
Over the Labor Day weekend, Tim participated in a 5-day 55-mile supported hike in the East Bay Hills with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Association. It involved some of the hardest days of hiking he's ever done, but he says he'll do it again next year. Also in September, thanks to some quick organizing by Jocelyn, our whole family was able to camp at Crane Flat outside of Yosemite Valley. All four grandkids had a great time, sleeping in tents, making s'mores and exploring the campsite. With all of us being experienced campers, somehow we ended up without a functioning stove (ok, we had one but it died), so thanks to Martin and his brother keeping us supplied with firewood, we cooked all our meals over the fire. Hardcore camping! While Yosemite Valley was really crowded, we spent many relaxing hours in Tuolumne meadows - swimming in Tenaya Lake, and one day of rock climbing. Yes, we had three of our four grandkids outfitted with harnesses and helmets, roped up and clipped in. They did really well, and Jackson was channeling Spiderman as he was lowered down the granite face. Tim and I hiked to the beautiful Cathedral Lakes basin, while the kids and grandkids went home for school and work. In October Tim and I left for a week-long trip to the Eastern Sierra. Tim's goal was capturing the Sierra fall color in photographs, and fortunately there was plenty in the golden aspens. We worked our way from Bridgeport to Mono Lake, where we went out before dawn - along with about 100 other photographers, as we discovered - for a sunrise shoot. We also hiked, visited several hot springs, relaxed and worked out at a spa, met some Bishop locals at a great new brew pub, went to a yoga class, and did some four wheeling. We've got to use our 97 Nissan Pathfinder before it dies! Thanks, Amanda and Joel for house-sitting for us! We've been trying to get back to kayaking, and getting in touch with friends more since we stopped working. One really great trip was over Halloween weekend in Ft. Bragg and Mendocino. We had showers on and off, which made for some beautiful misty scenery, and some sociable dinners out with our fellow paddlers. When we arrived home Amanda had her planned Halloween party in full swing, with kids, costumes, and great food. We're currently enjoying the fall and Christmas season - being with family, reconnecting with friends, enjoying the outdoors, and just being home - for the first time since college- without a pressing work schedule. With a wet winter so far this year in California, we're hoping to make at least one trip to the snow!
Sadly, two people passed on this year. Katherine Haley, a high school and college friend, died in August. I can still picture her in her row boat on Tomales Bay, or hear her outbursts of laughter! Also, one of my high school teachers who was much loved and very active in the community until her last days, passed on - Gwen Gibson. She taught hundreds of students during her 30 years at Tomales High School. One perk of retirement is being able to have more grand kid time! This spring and summer we made trips to the children's museum, Train Town, ice skating, California Academy of Sciences, and of course just having fun at the beach or river, or hiking locally. We're looking forward to more of the same this coming year. As Odin approaches age 4, he is really enjoying being around his cousins more, especially 6 year old Jackson. Odin is starting to recognize letters and numbers, and likes to tell stories: "Once upon a time..." He is still Mr. Fix It, and loves anything that has parts, or needs tools. Kyra, at 13, is in eighth grade at a charter school, attending classes there and doing some courses on line. She loves her school and especially one of her electives this year - art. She still likes to play with her younger cousins, but sometimes needs a break and "me" time to listen to her music. We started a sewing project together this summer, and she likes to do various needle crafts. Lily is in second grade, and reads everything she can get her hands on. Jackson is in kindergarten this year, and has become quite the talker. He still likes sports and telling jokes! One of their favorite activities at Grandma's house lately is playing badminton (or "catmitten," as Jackson says). Terry continues to work on several important projects at Medtronic, and is receiving deserved recognition, and Lauren continues to teach music. Terry and Lauren have parted ways this year, and share custody of their children. They did have a family vacation together this summer in Mexico, with lots of beach time.
Jocelyn and Martin continue their busy lives in health care, but also found time to travel - on Labor Day to Palm Springs to help Amanda move and explore the area, then the Yosemite trip as mentioned, then back to San Bernardino to visit Martin's brother and family. They also enjoy swimming in the river, going to the beach and hiking.
As mentioned, Amanda returned to Sonoma County from Palm Springs over Labor Day. She has a great group of friends there, whom she misses! She is staying with us, with dog Bucky, and hopes to move into a place of her own In January with her boyfriend Joel. Travel continues to be a priority, and she and Joel hope to take several trips next year.
Our wish is health and happiness for everyone in 2017, especially for those friends and family who are going through hard times. This year especially, we all need to stick together! Have a Merry Christmas, wonderful holiday season, and a Happy New Year!
Tim and Sharon Morgan and Family
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