Dec 2024 / Jan 2025

 Dear Family and Friends, Dec/Jan 2025

I trust that everyone had a nice Christmas and you are anxious to begin this New Year to see what adventures and blessings might be in store for you.  In Grants Pass, we have had quite a bit of rain lately, but no snow as yet.  The Rogue River is very high and flowing fast, but so far there is no sign of flooding here at the Riviera, thank goodness, but there have been reports of flooding in some of the lower areas of town, and sites that are right along the river’s edge.  Too bad. 

I was very surprised however by a thunderstorm that happened on Christmas night.

I had been wishing for some thunder that I could actually hear. The few that we've had here have been far away with rumbling that was almost undetectable.  But that one during the wee hours of the night started soft and then continued to grow louder as the storm moved closer to us.  Then when it was right overhead it gave out with such a loud booming blast that it practically shook me out of bed!  I was shouting, “Wow!” “Whoopee!,” and laughing hard, thinking that I had not only had my wish granted, but had certainly received much more thunder than I ever expected to hear.  And I think now that if I'd had my hearing aids in, the sound would have been even louder!  Wow!!  What a terrific experience!

One thing bad about thunder, however, is that it is always accompanied by lightning, which when it hits the ground almost always causes a fire.  This area has had some pretty devastating ones in the past.  Even though it was Christmas, I’m sure our fire fighters were on the alert, just  in case something should happen.  But luckily no lightning strikes were reported.  Hurray! 

My Christmas Day was spent nicely here with family members: My granddaughter Naomi and my daughter Linda, who prepared the meal again.  This time it was ham and the usual side dishes, plus a bottle of ‘sparkling’ apple cider and a marionberry pie!  I hope your’s was as tasty as ours.  Then somehow presents showed up under my tree - which needed to be opened. Since I don’t go shopping, my gifts to others are just bits of money in an envelope, which is okay but not much fun to open.  Whereas the gifts of others are always wrapped up so beautifully that it seems a shame to even open them.  But of course we still do. The girls brought their gifts for each other here too, so it was exciting to see each item as it was displayed and talked about.  All too soon, though, it got dark and it was time for them to head home after our fun day together.  

I’m so grateful for holidays that seem to bring families together, and although we missed True, we knew that she was having fun being with her favorite aunt - my sister Carol in Perry, Utah.  Through the use of magnificent technology we were able to not only talk with True and Carol but also to see them and their happy smiling faces, which made the day complete for us.  It was great!  And we knew that Dan and Cathy were happily enjoying their day amongst many of their missionary friends in sunny Hawaii.  Maybe next year they will be able to be with us.

Like I say, the river was roaring high and our nightly rains were continuing to add to it, but I knew that where our homes are located in the Park we were never in any danger, so I didn’t let that water problem bother me.  But I was slightly bothered by the water that became part of my introduction to the New Year.  

First of all, late on New Years Eve, I somehow managed to back my wheelchair into the large plant on the floor close to the kitchen which dumped a goodly amount of water stored in it onto the floor.  Then wouldn’t you know, I got distracted while pouring water into HaiKu’s water dish and ended up having another big puddle of water on the kitchen floor. Well I was so irked at myself that I gave out a loud “Aye Chihuahua, que tonta eres, Maria!”  Then I started to smile, thinking that while other folks were bringing in the new year with their expensive champagne and other fancy drinks, for me it was ushered in by lowly, floor-spilled water!  Not very elegant - to be sure - but no one cared except me, and I got a good chuckle out of it.  

The other part of my introduction into the new year was that because I was awake at midnight, I was able to hear the little booms that happened rather regularly, letting me and others know that Mr. Copeland, from his farmland less than half a mile away at the end of Leonard Rd. before it becomes Applegate Ave. was in the process of shooting off fireworks to welcome in the new year, just like he does for the 4th of July each year.  I wish I could have been outside so I could have seen them shooting up into the sky and spreading out their beautiful colors.  He is so generous ln providing this type of entertainment for his neighbors.

We know that Christmas and its festivities do tend to be good in bringing families together, but we must never forget the true meaning and reason for the celebration - the birth of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the gifts He has given to us - His Life and the atonement! May He brighten your life with His love and give you peace and contentment as you face whatever may come your way during this new year.  And I wish that each of you may enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year, along with my love for each and every one of you.

Marie