So here's this year's Christmas letter...
Dear Family & Friends--
The past 18 months have been filled with great challenges and big changes for me and yet, I can see how I have been surrounded by blessings, guidance and so much love.
In January Erika began her career as a Strategic Marketing Manager for Inner Fire Yoga Studios here in Madison. She loves her job and I love visiting her there almost every day! In February Monika turned 19 while attending Claremont McKenna College in California. Having her attending college so close to my family there was an amazing blessing for all of us, especially after my mom got sick. In March, Jessi joined Monika in California for a fun-in-the-sun Spring Break. I visited a couple of weeks later during my Spring Break, making sure to attend a few of Monika's classes and meet with her favorite professor.
Late in April my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer along with metastasized brain, blood, bone and more cancer. The death sentence brought our family together to celebrate not only mom's life but her amazing medical care. The tumors are shrinking and my mom's life is being extended-- for how long, we have no idea. It causes us to cherish our time together no matter what.
In May, Jessi finished her sophomore year at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis and then spent a month in Alaska kayaking. It was the highlight of her year. I spent a week in May helping my mom recover from brain surgery only to find that Balt had cancer as well. I needed to rush back to Madison to deal with the removal of his right eye. He had an aggressive melanoma that moved quickly and my vet assures me did not move into his brain. We passed on post surgery chemotherapy for him and will cross our fingers that the cancer is all gone. My mom was not so lucky. She did a round of radiation and several rounds of chemotherapy, losing all of her salted dark hair, only to get almost only white hair in return months later.
Over the Summer I spent 6 weeks teaching summer school and then took Jessi, Monika and Balt for a road trip through Colorado to California. We had a blast but missed Erika. Now that she works full time she can't take weeks off for traveling. Jessi flew back to Annapolis to start her junior year and I stuck around to get Monika settled into her dorm room to start her sophomore year at Claremont. I left her with my car so she could visit my mom, since my mom can no longer drive and then I drove back with Balt in my dad's old Ford Expedition. Balt loves the extra room.
In September I started my 18th year teaching. After spending over a year preparing, I curated my 2nd solo art show as a way to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was a super fun way to celebrate and incredibly therapeutic for me. It was the first time I had art work from high school on display along with work from college, my early professional career and current art work I created just for the show. I enjoyed the experience a lot. Late in September, I got the chance to visit Jessi for parents weekend at the Naval Academy. I attended all of her classes, ate lunch at King Hall and got to see her dorm room for the first time since parent's weekend at the end of her plebe summer a couple of years ago. It was awesome!
In November Balt turned 5, Jessi turned 21 and Erika turned 25. It is hard to believe I have children in their twenties! All three girls are at exciting times of their lives. They still keep me busy. I love traveling to visit them, but I miss having them at home all the time with me-- although I hardly have any laundry to do anymore which isn't so bad. I am so blessed by their phone calls, snapchats, texts and constant presence in my life. Having a daughter on each coast only makes for more traveling in my life and I love that.
As I finish up this year I am reminded that where there is no struggle, there is no strength (Oprah). I know 2016 will bring more adventure but also more affliction. I am fully aware that there are difficulties ahead, but I have learned that without them, the wonderful times aren't nearly so sensational. How boring would life be if everything went as we planned? My life certainly has not been boring but I can say it has been full of love! Of course I will be writing all about the fun in my blog if you're interested; http://teriparrisford.typepad.com/
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
with much love,
Teri Parris Ford
Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
Psalm 71:20
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