Dear Family and Friends,
Well. Here we are. A quarter of a century in. I know I’m sounding old, but I just can’t reconcile how 25 years have passed (let alone 66). I KNOW we were just ushering in 2000 and grappling with how to navigate Y2K! HA!
I was flipping through my calendar since last year’s letter, and though I know life was full, there aren’t many big events to report. Well. Wait a minute: Bram Finney, Chad and Bree’s 4th child and my 4th grandchild was born May 16th. THAT’s pretty significant! He’s a sweet boy and it’s fun to be watching him and #3, Colt, starting to connect. The two big kids, Arlo (6) and Scout (4) are such buddies - Team One! Glad Team Two is gelling now also! - So if nothing else happened since last year, the arrival of BF is BIG and wonderful!
Oh but wait again! Greg’s oldest daughter, Laina, got married early September and we were in San Francisco for the wedding. A Big Deal! All Greg’s daughters are now married, so in several ways, the family grows. More males added!
We had quite a few visitors come see us in ABQ over the year - which is kind of unusual. Nice though! Greg’s brother, Bradley, and his wife, Marvae were here in July; cousins Jerry and Jim in October; Santa Barbara friends Glenn and Candy in October; Ventura friends Bob and Cindy in March; special friend from CA Ranch Days, Maggie over the Christmas holidays; and BEST: LEVI sprinkled in here and there. (Since he’s living in Tennessee now, he falls in the “visitor” category.)
Sticking to Levi momentarily, it was so great to have him surprise Bree for Bram’s birth. He was around helping and enjoying the fun for a week or so. He reappeared for family Thanksgiving in November and then was just here for another several days for Bree’s and my Birthdays. Took us to a great winery for celebrating and I ALWAYS treasure our threesome when it works out. GOSH, I LOVE my kids!
Levi did a big “Correspondence” 10 year Anniversary Tour September through December of last year. His conclusion: glad he did it, but too old to do it again! I guess life on the road takes more out of you at 35 than 25! - He’s surprisingly really liking TN life. Took him awhile to adjust, but I think he’ll stay put awhile there now. We’ll see.
And now Chad and Bree are contemplating a move to TN. It’s an early pursuit, but Oh My! - I’ll leave it there for now. - Meanwhile, they are busy parents doing life well with four little munchkins. Chad is still creating beautiful Southwest jewelry; Bree is still managing the administration of the hair salon she co-owns with her friend, AND homeschooling Arlo, AND doing all the MOM routine. Proud of her! - Next year she’ll homeschool Arlo and Scout, both, - etc, etc! (Did I mention the chickens?!)
Just before Thanksgiving, Greg and I took the Barela Fam to Durango to enjoy a few days of pre-Christmas fun. Such a pretty place. We hit perfect weather, did some greatoutdoor wandering, and ultimately hit the trip’s highlight - a ride on the Polar Express! So glad we made this memory together; hopefully the grandkids will actually remember it, but the adults will regardless.
Another trip we all made just recently was to Arizona where we stayed with Mark’s brothers and sisters-in-law. It’s so great that this special relationship with thE has remained over the years. I know it isn’t the norm necessarily and I’m grateful. The kids love Uncle Doug and Aunt Pat and look forward to seeing them whenever we can connect. And it’s important. Although they’re too young to know their Macallister story as yet (although a question or two has popped up now), someday they’ll want to know their Grandpa Mark more fully. Ahhhh; it’s tough to think about. - But, Praise Jesus; He’ll direct the way/conversation when the time comes.
(I’m seeing while typing that my 24-25 year produced plenty to report! HA! Never mind my opener! My sisters would agree that it was a Mom Sally deal: “I’ve been so busy, but can’t remember doing what!!” HA!)
A life glitch surfaced this year for me: I’ve been experiencing a health issue which began with Vertigo late October. Many ups and downs with varying symptoms and degrees of them. I’m still in the throes of figuring out how to resolve this “spoiler” as it’s pretty unnerving at times, and certainly distracting. Hopefully by Easter 2026 I’ll be back on a healthier track and will let you know. Prayers appreciated.
Though Greg’s job has kept him hopping, we’ve managed to enjoy a somewhat desirable routine which includes our Church participation, a monthly Dinner Party with four other treasured couples, and various other activities which pop up. I’m on Grandma Duty every Thursday - which is great - and Team One is playing TBall right now, so “Ama & Ampa” are at a the ball park once a week also! - I’m down to working two days a week at Hope school where I’ve been since 2015, and am looking to maybe be done at the end of the year when I’ll start taking my Social Security. Whaaaat??
So. As usual, I like to add something in my letters that I’ve been pondering recently. Greg and I are reading through the book of John and supplementing with a pretty in- depth commentary by Leon Morris. Per the context of John 8 (Jesus saying He’s the light of the world), a great note follows: “The Pharisees’ reaction to Jesus’ claim to be light is at base the answer men always make when they do not wish to be convinced: ‘I do not see it that way. The evidence is not sufficient to establish the claim.’ But light establishes its claim. It does so, not by arguments, but by shining. Light must always be accepted for itself, and that notwithstanding the objections of the blind.” WOW! I love this!
This Easter may you KNOW - “In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:4 - Hallelujah LORD; Thank You for shining!
Blessings to ALL.
Jody