Greetings Family and Friends,
I'm a week in front of Easter sitting at my fireplace and gathering my thoughts. Cozy indoors but a vicious Spring wind assailing every tree in sight outdoors. Makes for a good moment to hunker down. What to share ..?
This past year, I traveled a bit. Finally! Some with Greg, some on my own. Opportunites just lined up and we took advantage of them. Almost a year ago, my Uncle Ken (Dad's younger brother and only surviving McEwen from his generation) turned 80. Jill, Jamie and I surprised him at the invitation of his daughters and we enjoyed a sweet family reunion over a long weekend. It was fun AND important. When families are strewn across the country, you never know if/when the chance to be together will present again.
In September, Greg and I spent three wonderful weeks in Portugal. Though I'd traveled internationally back in the 80's and 90's, this was my first European trip and what a great time we had. Our previous Allbuquerque nextdoor neighbor is Portuguese and moved home - an hour north of Lisbon - in 2021. He'd been inviting us to visit and was so gracious to host us in his home, loan us a car, and treat us to many off-the-beaten-paths in his beautiful country. We were with Jose for half our stay and then also worked in some other cities: Porto and Braga, and a lovely beach town south of Lisbon a couple hours. My special friend, Maggie, from the Mac Vineyard Ranch days also rendezvoused with us a couple days (flying in from Germany); providing icing on the cake! - Again. Another fun AND important trek. Who knows if/when we'll make it to Europe in the future.
November saw ALL the Macallisters (G Humbles and Barelas :-) ) headed to Santa Barbara for our traditional Thanksgiving with primary and extended families. We stayed in a lovely AirBnB which was a particular adventure for all the Grandkids. They got such a kick out of waking up in the morning and there we all were: still in jammies, but all together. SO MUCH FUN! - This year was especially poignant being that neither Dad nor Mom were with us; nevertheless everyone else made it ... and, when might this happen again? Shrug.
Mid February, Greg and I were in San Diego for several days celebrating his youngest daughter, Julia, and her marriage to Angel Gonzalez. Weddings are always great occasions to gather family and this was no exception. Greg's other daughters, Laina and Krista, his mom, and more family reps made the trip to bless Julia. (In September upcoming, Greg's eldest daughter will marry and we'll be in CA once more. And then this might conclude CA weddings... Well wait. I still have nephews! Hmmmm.)
To round out the travel record, Jill, Jamie, and I just returned from Mammoth, CA, last week after having spent four days in the glorious Sierra Nevadas. Besides endeavoring to prioritize sister-time, we also had this vision to spread Dad and Mom's ashes on the mountain where we spent so many memorable family ski vacations growing up. We knew our parents would appreciate the efforts to make this a reality and we DID IT! Faithful Father showed us MUCH favor over our stay ... the five us for the last time in some surreal way. I feel like Dad and Mom are part of the mountain now, besides inhabiting their dwelling place in Heaven. (Oh dear, tears are welling up. - We miss them.)
So. What else? ... Well, grandbaby #4 is showing up early May! What JOY these lil people bring me. Arlo is five, in PK4, and is a T-Ball player currently; he’s SMART – a puzzler and checker player that whooped me last week. :-/ Scout is three, soon to be four, is in PS3, and is beautiful. She hopes to start ballet soon and also enjoys puzzles and laughing at Baby Colt, the #3 child. - He’s a big boy! We think maybe he’s the Macallister with blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. He’s one, two this summer, and enjoys … eating! – Also being in the camera screen, saying “cheeez,” etc. – Baby BOY is to arrive early May and Chad & Bree are in prep mode; bedroom juggles, new car to accommodate six (four carseats), etc, etc.
And that’s plenty on the Barela front, but it’s not ALL. They’ve moved business locations this past year and are fine tuning both the Hair Salon and Chad’s Southwest Jewelry. It’s good and exciting and we’ll see what God does in the year ahead.
Levi is still in Nashville and it’s grown on him. Doesn’t mean he’ll stay there indefinitely, but so glad he’s enjoying it for now. He’s got a lot going on, also, in so many areas of his art/business. Never ceases to amaze me what he comes up with to either make a living or enjoy life. After a few hard years behind him, seems there’s another “spring” in his steps.
Greg started a new job shortly before we headed to Portugal last Fall. It’s been a learning curve, for sure, but he’s doing well at it, selling all things pertaining to digital storage to government/public agencies. He travels weekly, short stints, covering ½ of New Mexico and it’s a bit sad for me to say, he’s seen more of my State in a few short months than I have in over 25 years. Geez.
As for me, I’ve given you my highlights: travel! Otherwise, all is status quo. I’m still working my half-time job at HOPE Christian School. I’m going to shave off four hours weekly starting in May and then maybe stop at that magical SS number: 66 and 10 months. We’ll see.
This year, at Easter's approach, my mind has turned several times to Luke 19:41 & 42:
“When the city came into view, he wept over it. If you had only recognized this day, and everything that was good for you!" (The Message) – “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace...” (NIV vs 42)
I’ve read this passage a multitude of times over the years, but recently it caused me pause. And renewed ache. Ahhhh. How often do I/we miss recognizing what’s good and what would bring us peace? – Even as Jesus mourned what Jerusalem missed in His coming and His sacrifice on the horizon, I miss His presence too often in my daily experience. He wants me, wants US, to know both what He did for us on the cross and what He does DAILY by indwelling the hearts of those who've invited Him to do so. I may be repeating myself - but it wouldn't be a bad thing: I don't want to MISS HIM. Ever! Immanuel, may Your people not miss You, and may this Easter draw the hearts of those who don't yet recognize You, at all, into Your Loving invitation for an abundant life and an unimaginable, awesome Eternity.
My prayer for YOU - Friends and Family. May we not miss Him.
LOVE TO ALL - Jody