December 6, 2018. Madison, Mississippi. Update.

Today I turned 81. December 6 is my birthday. I have had a wonderful day reading the birthday greetings from my friends. The modern form of communication is a marvel. And I even received messages from the office party, sending pictures. Maureen looks wonderful dressed as Mrs. Santa Clause. Linda took me out for lunch to celebrate. Pretty nice being 81. Wonderful Wendy has officially retired. Yesterday she attended a matinee performance of a play in Toronto. They took the train. She could not do that before she retired. Now every day she will decided what to do today, not what is required to do. Congratulations to Wendy. Ken and Anne have settled on their new home and are busily opening boxes. Their plan is to retire at the end of 2019 and sail off on their boat. It all sounds exciting and scary. But we wish them well. Grandniece Rachel is being married in India just after Christmas. Lots of the family will attend the three day event. Norm and Diane will be there, along with Ken and Anne, Eric and Elise. Alana is going too. Dave and Irene will not attend and neither will we. Too far. Katie has taken a job as archivist at Purdue University, beginning in January. We are so pleased for them. Brock starts work Jan.1. He has rented an apartment at Purdue, one he calls an adult apartment as opposed to a student size. Sarah will spend the full spring semester in Australia at the University in Sydney. She is stoked. Abigail is thriving at Furman as is Allison in the 11th grade. Her grades are excellent. Kate begins her last semester in nursing school at Mississippi College. She just passed with flying colors a review exam. We are proud of her hard work and diligence. Mary Frances has been thrilled with her first semester at Millsaps. The English class and the art have been the best. And Molly has started to get interested in her school work. History is her favorite. Ken sent all his camera equipment to Samantha, who is a fine photographer. And the lens work with her new cameras. For Christmas she asked for some specific piece of equipment which David said was remarkable expensive. And Ken began physical therapy at the university. So here we go. My update is complete. Our family is marching on and doing well. My Mother and Father would be so pleased to see these young people taking their place and always on the go. My hats are off to them all.