Counting Our Blessings
This is the time of year many of us sit back and review the events of the previous 12 months. As the New Year approaches we also turn an eye forward to dream for the future. With half my attention backward and the other half forward, when is there time to count my blessings?
Right Now!
We’re blessed to have you and so many like you in our lives. Family, friends, colleagues, associates, neighbors, partners and many more. Thank you for your love, your support, your encouragement, your time and your talents that have helped make 2009 a memorable year for the two of us.
Do we have goals for 2009 that went unfulfilled? Certainly, that’s one of the prices of dreaming BIG! We have you and cherish you in our lives. Please continue to be there for and with us and let us know what we can do to support you as well.
Celebrating Together
We’ve discovered a very simple truth – life is more fun when doing it together! Time away from the pressures of home, exploring new places and having new experiences. Unfortunately, the pressures of life only permitted us to get away for a single vacation together this year. Anita and I spent a week in Lake Tahoe in November (too long to wait for OUR vacation). The location was selected due to its proximity to the Nevada Humane Society in Reno. They’ve quickly converted Washoe county to no kill and Anita wanted a first hand look and how it was accomplished. We enjoyed a relaxing week of sightseeing, sleeping late, working out and watching movies. We even took a few naps on the couch – WOW!
I accompanied Anita on a trip to Washington, D.C. in May while she represented her non-profit Pet Alliance at the No Kill Conference. I played during the day while she worked. I visited the old neighborhood, spent time with John Hessenauer at Bruce & Bobbie Johnson’s and met the rest of the Barron clan for a rainy day at the Washington, D.C. zoo.
In July I took Mia and Anna (they were visiting from Florida for the summer) to the Massanutten Resort in VA to celebrate with Kevin’s clan, Kendra’s clan, Mom and the Hessenauer’s (Anita remained home to work). We had a fabulous week of swimming, canoeing in the Shenandoah River (courtesy of John and Patti Hessenauer), playing at the water park, riding go-carts, hiking in the rain, playing Wii, building A.J.’s erector set and a 1,000 piece puzzle and cooking out (thanx Eric). It was an absolutely fabulous experience, getting family together to celebrate life. Afterward the girls and I headed to NOVA where John treated us to a tour of the control tower at Dulles Airport and we attended an alumni party for Park View High School.
In June I headed west to visit Dad (because he wasn’t going to make it on the trip to Massanutten). I had a quick visit with Mom in Laguna Beach before heading to the desert to bake with Dad (it was 118F). After dinner w/ Nancy and a good night’s rest, we dropped off the rental car and headed to Vegas! We met Dad’s friend Richard for brunch, relaxed by the pool at the Wyndham Grand Desert, rode in the limo to brunch at the Bellagio, took in the Bodies exhibit at the Luxor and went to see Ice Age III in 3-D! It is, without a doubt, the most time I can ever recall spending with Dad. We had so much fun we’re going to schedule another guys trip for 2010 – I think we should invite Kevin!
In October I returned to Cleveland and the campus of Case Western Reserve University for the Centennial Celebration of the Beta Eta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Anita stayed home to prevent contamination with all the testosterone! I stayed with Tom and Susan Robertson, their son Zack and dog Charlie. I designated myself unofficial photographer for the celebration so I had a chance to meet everyone! The bonds of brotherhood transcend time and distance! The weekend went by so quickly. I look forward to seeing many of you at Zack and Jayne’s annual celebration next summer. It turns out that I was able to participate in a reunion of another kind – Dad was coming to Cleveland that same weekend for a business trip!! I picked him up Sunday evening and we spent the day together on Monday. We returned to the campus of Cleveland State University (the home of his alma mater Fenn College) for a tour and were able to connect with his best friend and fraternity brother Barney. Once again, time and distance melted away. These too picked back up where they left off 45 years ago!
We also traveled to Florida in October to attend a Halloween celebration of a different sort – Mia and Anna’s Mommy Rebekah’s wedding! We arrived a few days early to see their new place in Jacksonville, enjoy the wonderful home they rented in St. Augustine Beach for the wedding and to sight see at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. Rebekah & Roger have been engaged for years and finally tied the knot in a gangster-themed wedding on Halloween. The celebration was limited to immediate family so we were truly blessed to participate. Rebekah and Roger have a deep love for one another that was clearly visible as they said their vows. The girls are blessed to have parents that love them both so dearly. I’ve been a part of Rebekah’s life for over 13 years, it was almost like losing a daughter!
Hobbies & Activities
We do get time to stop and smell the roses! For me it tends to be physical activities, for Anita’s it’s about lending a helping hand to rescued animals and their care givers.
I was able to get wet (SCUBA dive) a few times this year. The highlight of the SCUBA year was my trip to Bonne Terre mine in Missouri to dive in a flooded lead mine (don’t worry lead is not water soluble). Brian Green accompanied me into the crystal clear water of the world’s largest underground lake! This is a great (read affordable) SCUBA trip for the winter and we’re already planning a return trip for 2010. We planned a wreck diving trip to Lake Huron for 2009 that was postponed due to high winds (I’m not fond of 6+ foot waves). It’ll be rescheduled for the Spring of 2010. I set a new personal depth record at the Gilboa Stone Quarry this summer, 127ft, and a new record dive time at the quarry on double tanks, 79 minutes (not on the same dive).
I made it to Kings Island with the girls for some summer fun. Mia and Anna were here for the entire summer, but we were only able to visit Kings Island a few times. I think Mia may have reached her limit (she’s been going with me for 10 years), but that didn’t stop us from enjoying time on the coasters! We had rain for the 4th of July so we stayed in and played board games at Mia’s grandma’s coffee shop in Reading – Grounds of Inspiration.
I continue my involvement in TV Toastmasters and recently had the opportunity to discuss its merits on the noon news. I’m the Vice President of Public Relations for the club and have been busy promoting our monthly meetings and special events. You can view my speeches on You Tube. I’ve never been shy about speaking in public but there’s definitely something different about speaking in front of the lights and cameras. I’ve rediscovered a few things about myself: I’m a perfectionist (hope that’s not a shock to you) and I enjoy being in the lime-light (probably not another shock). I’m much more comfortable speaking impromptu (even on topics I know nothing about), than I am reciting memorized material. When I’m comfortable I can focus on the delivery – smile, look at the camera, relax and enjoy! Kinda a good summary for life.
Anita threw her heart and soul into Pet Alliance this year. Her Mother Louise was helping with phone calls to Spay Ohio but made the choice to stop when her Mother’s health took a turn for the worse. This means that Anita now answers 100’s of phone calls a month from people all over the state of Ohio looking for help with their animals. In addition, she’s very active in the local rescue community, supporting their efforts with time, talent and resources. I envy her passion, her drive and her commitment to the animals and their guardians. Please consider a small tax-deductible contribution to make a difference in 2010.
The Barron Clan
Kendra is in northern VA shoveling 20 inches of snow as I write this letter. No changes for her or Eric at work, but A.J. changed schools as he entered the first grade (from private to public). He’s taking swimming lessons, enjoys camping, building things and helping Eric with the renovation of their rental property. A.J. got a new dog this year named D.J. – he’s a Sheppard-Collie mix. He says that he’s very friendly. I’m sure they’ll soon be the best of friends.
Kevin is shoveling in Richmond as well and wondering how they’re ever going to be ready for Christmas. Andrew, Grace and Will are busy, busy, busy and keep Kevin and Tina wondering if they’re coming or going. Andrew excelled at football this year, Grace is active in Brownie’s and Will is rethinking Cub Scouts. Their dog Dasher and cat Doug are still healthy and an integral part of their family.
Mom is VERY active at her church in Laguna Beach (no surprise there). She attended the 50th reunion of her high school graduation in Buffalo – her first reunion ever! She said it was great to reconnect with friends she hadn’t seen in 1/2 a CENTURY!
Dad is visiting Kendra and Kevin in VA (his first in four years). I’ll bet he had quite a surprise when he saw how much the grand kids have grown (food and time will do that)! He’s on track for a $1,000,000 month in December selling real estate in the CA desert, but prices are 50% below what they were last year so he and Nancy have to do double time to keep their income constant. He worked in Vegas during my visit, he’s working in VA (according to A.J.) on this visit as well. Personally, I understand. I’m on call Christmas week and am working the New Year’s holiday and weekend for P&G. When working for yourself you do what’s necessary to get it done, then head outside to play in the snow with the grand kids!
Anita lost her Granny Rabon in the spring, her paternal grand mother Jewel is in a nursing home and grand father Leon is struggling with the health issues of a 90 year old. Anita spent a week in Albany with Leon after Jewel was moved to the nursing home. She treated him to nights out on the town and enjoyed his stories and reflections on life. Her parents Louise and Sam are doing well. We’re looking forward to visiting for Christmas.
Our 5 kitties are happy and healthy – Beaver, Wolly, Sphinx, Simba and Misty. Yes, five cats is TOO many, but Anita gets great joy from each and ever one of them. My interaction is limited to Beaver and Simba, but Wolly and Sphinx are showing an increased interest in spending time with me. Misty still runs and hides when I enter a room, occasionally she allows me to pet her before hissing at me (the same story I used to get from Sphinx, so maybe there’s hope).
Season Greetings
We leave in 2 days for what may be our last Christmas with Anita’s grand parents. It’s a vivid reminder to make the most of every minute we have together. To forgive, to love and to honor one another every day of the year. It’s about the time we spend TOGETHER, enjoying the contribution we make to each other’s lives.
We look forward to seeing and celebrating with you in 2010. We’re blessed to have you in our lives and we know that our lives are better for it. If you’re coming to or through Cincinnati, please be sure to look us up. We’d love the chance to tell you personally how you’ve impacted our lives.
With All Our Love,
and 