Wishing You The Merriest -

Christmas 2024 was going to be my year to send cards to so very many people, and I admire the stack of cards from loved ones who have been so vigilant over the years. 

And yet - this year I made 3 large batches of Chex Party Mix, delivered loads of Walker Seasoning, made multiple loaves of zucchini, banana, and pear (new favorite) bread, sewed, spent time with children, grandchildren, and siblings, exercised with friends, and watched Christmas specials with Scott, rather than order, address, and send cards. 

That's good news, actually! Being in the moment, doing things that take longer than 60 minutes to complete is brand new for me - it's been more than 30 years since I've had time to spend more than an hour here and there on a project. And this isn't "stolen" time, but actual time I have, the only thing lost has been the Holiday cards. 

A year ago I was so very stressed - chaplaining at Utah Valley Hospital, counseling with my Wren House Counseling practice, and just trying to make it through one day at a time. When I decided last November that I would retire in May of 2024, I was determined to not check off each day marking down the days until retirement, rather, live each day to the fullest, which worked, until I really did burn out and knew May 3 could come none to soon. 

Scott and I planted our garden and flower beds and headed off to Scotland, England, Wales for three weeks of gloriousness - celebrating our 65th and 75th birthdays, our 20th wedding anniversary, and my retirement. An amazing time discovering the Lake District, Wales, Cornwall, the Dales and Shires of central England, York, Hadrian's Wall, and revisiting beloved Edinburgh. Sadly, we did not come home rested - Scott was sick the last ten days of our trip and stayed that way for nearly a month, and I picked up some kind of hitch-hiker that clawed into my left shoulder and didn't let go for more than 4 months. However, even with these souvenirs, we had an absolutely lovely time in the damp, in the sun, in the cities and in the country. Penzance was a favorite as was York, and we look forward to returning to spend more time in Wales - what a surprise to see how stunning this area is. 

After this time away, we came home to replant our garden, catch up on clients, attend grandchildren's sporting events, and love love love our gorgeous yard and deck. Sitting on the deck during breakfast and after evening meals became a tradition, soaking in the ever-changing view of Mt. Timpanogos (She is my role model), watching the squirrels and bluejays battle it out over peanuts on the fence post; savoring, rather than rushing. 

We stayed home until mid-August when I was blessed to spend two weeks with my three sisters in Sweden and Denmark. Scott and I had visited four years earlier, and I could not wait to share this homeland with my sisters. My mom decided she wanted time with us as well, and we definitely felt her spirit, and those of many of our ancestors, as we traveled the countries of our heritage. A once in a lifetime experience which has drawn us closer to each other and given us plenty of things to talk about and reminisce on - including great pastries, delicious licorice, shopping, the best laughs, lots of wrong turns, and heart-felt words. 

Scott was able to spend a week of this time in Cedar City with his son, Daniel, visiting local sites, reminiscing, as well as going to the Mountain Meadows area; Scott loves Mormon history and being able to see this area was a touching time for him. 

As I got on the plane in Copenhagen to fly home, I received a text from Scott telling me he was so very sick. And upon arriving home, he was down, again, with CoVid. This time adding bronchitis to the mix. 

As soon as he was mostly healed we got the wild-hair that we needed to relandscape our yard - seeing Scott down at the beginning and end of summer was enough to know it was necessary to make the upkeep of our yard as simple and pain-free as possible. So - we hired (best decision ever) a team to pull out our grass, sprinkler system, concrete curbing, and redo all of this (keeping most of our three
year old flower beds). And - drum roll, finally a contractor who kept with his committed schedule - four weeks later the grass was in, and our yard is stunning! 

A month later we were on our third annual trip to Hawaii, this time our second to Kona. Magical is all I have to say. How amazing to be there this year knowing I wasn't cutting short vacation days (did I mention I used up all of my vacation, leaving Intermountain with only 2.5 hours of PTO - my goal), worrying about patients and colleagues or what emergency, real or imagined, I'd be facing when I got back home. Scott and I enjoyed the beaches, watching sea turtles, viewing the sunrises and sunsets, eating fresh pineapple and mango, and spending time walking Ali'i Drive every morning and evening, as well as drives to various small towns and villages on the island. And - I snorkeled! A dream of mine I never really thought would happen. Several hours in the water at Captain Cook (Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau NHP) snorkeling in the crystal blue water was better than I could have imagined. 

We came home refreshed, and healthy, and dove right into holiday events - concerts, plays, family time, giving thanks for all we have. 

Several folks have asked me how retirement is - I'm delighted to be self-employed, not sure if I will ever be fully retired. My counseling practice is going great - Wren House Counseling, and I love helping folks heal or at least see a way forward. If you, or one you love, is in need of help, I would love to help you. I keep me fees low and my energy high; I do face to face as well as long-distance counseling. 

We have plenty to keep us happily engaged, and yet we never forget that our blessings are truly gifts not to be taken for granted. I am grateful for my own therapy and medicine that has allowed me to resolve past hurts and deep regrets, and move forward with little baggage, finally, at nearly 66, carrying a small handbag rather than a potato sack of grief, guilt, cultural angst, and the never-ending need to be bigger, better, more. I am re-learning how to laugh outloud, how to play, how to sit, and how to seek out "awe" any and every where. Whew! 

We are so grateful for amazing children and grandchildren who invite us into their lives, for good friends who enjoy great conversation, good food, and ankle-deep nonsense, and for each other - time together is a reminder of how sweet this stage of life can really be. 

Happy Holidays to all - Ronda and Scott