I have only one question. 2017, where did you go?

The year starts off well. We are getting into the groove of being grandparents, and all the awesomeness therein. It’s a good thing we’re enjoying it, too. More grand babies on the immediate horizon…

Alice and The Man, married April 22nd, are starting married life well, renovating and reproducing. Grandchild  should make its appearance around mid-May. We don’t know if our tall, adopted granddaughter will make it back for The Birth Of The Child, as she has just leapt off for some undetermined time Down Under. So excited for the Shawnigan Newlyweds.

Scout and Biff are going to have a big brother.  Well, you know what I mean.  In Ottawa, in June. We are blessed to have Scout coming out for a week in December, so the two cousins, can have some special toddler time together. We find we’re spending more time in Ottawa than we ever imagined. A week in July, couple of weeks in September, just to hang out with our Ottawa Family.

Polly and Cesco and toddler boy, in the little cottage have become a hive of life. Their door is always open to those who need a place to sleep, people to hang with or talk to, and sometimes an itinerant Mamie who needs an espresso. Handy, that. During the hot months, I’ll invite Polly over for a late afternoon cocktail. Now that weather has cooled, a glass of wine while I chop onions for dinner. Babies and cocktails? Uh huh.

The Professor is living at home this year, taking a gap year to spend some time in the family business. It’s nice to have him home, and undoubtedly nice for him to take a break from studies. He is, as always - charming, witty, handsome and has a great collection of sweaters and smart-alecky remarks.

Silas got his driver’s licence this year, and is smack in the middle of his last year of high school. He’ll be eighteen in January and I. Can’t. Believe. It. He’s working regularly for Hi-tec, studying, playing and gearing up in a big way for adulthood. Also working on his Quip.

Huck, along with studies, getting taller than me, and all his other activities and social life, has spent the year taking riding lessons from a stable near us, and spent a good chunk of Summer and Fall fishing. Salmon fishing, lake fishing, fly fishing. Fly tying. Fish, fish, fish.
Where have I heard this story before?

Rosebud takes riding lessons now as well, and is becoming an accomplished and confident young rider. She and her brothers performed in Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream here in the Valley this summer. Rosebud also got a haircut. Which isn’t usually newsworthy…but…fourteen inches of hair. That’s a lot of hair, donated for cancer patients. She does Art, which manifests in a variety of ways, pencil, paint, cake decorating, crochet, jewelry making, fancy hair. A genetic component of artistic-ness has surfaced in yet another of our offspring, not from myself or Sparky. Thanks, Dad. And when I say Dad, I mean “Great-gramps.” Gets a little confusing.

And speaking of my Dad, we offspring of his, along with our own, and third generation now making its appearance, celebrated Dad’s 80th (GET OUT) this summer.
You look good, Great-gramps.

We did some cool family stuff this year, besides the usual camp, lake, ball, company, weekly activities, studies. In February, the  joined forces with friends to make a long-overdue family retreat at Westminster Abbey in Mission. While on the mainland, we visited all the sites of our ancestors at various cemeteries in Vancouver, Tsawassen and Langley.
Quite a pilgrimage!

We went to more weddings than I can count this year. We spent some time at China Creek with my Dad, fishing, then canning, then fishing then canning. Needless to say, well stocked cupboards. Albert and the boys went on the West Coast Trail with a big group, a life-long dream after his high school fail experience of the WCT. Having a free week on our hands, Rosebud and I naturally went to Ottawa.

One of the highlights of my year was going to NYC with my brother , and seeing my niece and the many and crazy sights of the city. Many. I’m no slouch when it comes to Doing All The Things. But my brother is even less of a slouch, and his daughter, well - apple from tree. We rocked. Now Sparky wants to go. Hehe. Keep up.

I mistakenly assumed that these years of kids growing up, moving out, getting older, more self-sufficient - would be slower. Feel slower. But I am sorely mistaken. I started asking people…experienced people…does it start to slow down? Unequivocally, the answer was…NO. Oh, well. Hang on for the ride.

Sparky is rocking being a gramps.  I love him.

2017, I think you went to the service of joy. And that is good.

We wish you all the graces and blessings that you have room for in your hearts and homes.
We pray for you all. May the new year be full of life, and full of joy.
From the Landrys

To get the full value of JOY,
you must have someone to divide it with. - Mark Twain

I miss you every day, Mom. Pray for us all.