1 December 2011
This year has been a much better year for us than was 2010. As most people know, our lives these days are very much dominated by Yvonne’s health. This time last year Colin informed our children that “this could very well be Nan’s last Christmas” and that we should gather the family together and make it a good one for her. But life is full of twists and turns. At the time of last year’s Christmas letter Yvonne had just embarked upon a new round of oral chemotherapy (she is still on it and we expect will remain on it so long as it continues to do her good) and this has worked wonders for her. She is now pretty much free of pain and suffering far less from her recurring nausea attacks.
But our year. Well, the year started with our three families hiring a houseboat and having a week on the Murray River. Though the river was in flood at the time (we were told it was some 8 metres higher than usual for that time of the year) and this restricted our enjoyment, it was great to have the families together. We very much enjoyed it.
Our big energetic caravanning days are a thing of the past – we are happy to restrict our trips to shorter periods between medical appointments and to go somewhere nice and just laze about. The furthest we have got away this year was to Forster/Tuncurry. But, we’ve surprised and delighted ourselves by discovering on count back that we’ve had three months away from home (in our van and in accommodation) this year.
A highlight of our year was Colin’s 70th birthday. He didn’t want a party but saw it as an opportunity to get friends and extended family together. His breakfast party was a great success and we thoroughly enjoyed it. While talking about Colin we might mention that his health is good. Two other highlights have been that Yvonne has completed her life (so far) story (twelve hard cover bound copies distributed to her children, grandchildren and sisters) and has had not one but two residential “sister bonding get togethers” this year.
Our children and grandchildren are a source of great pleasure. While their parents work hard and live a hectic life, the grandchildren are rapidly growing up. Peter turns 17 before Christmas and is big and solid. He rides his bike, swims squad and is hopeful of gaining Christmas holiday employment this year. Sarah, aged 14, is a straight A student and was part of a seven student school team that came second in Australia in the Tournament of the Minds (Language and Literature) competition – the final was held in Hobart. She plays the piano and is doing Life Saving at the Australian Institute of Sport. Tegan and Conor continue with weekend Chinese school. Tegan, now aged 11, attended the State music camp, came first in her age group in the State (New South Wales) at Chinese writing and has gained selective entry for next year to North Sydney Girls’ High School, one of the top rated girls’ schools in the State. Much to everyone’s surprise, Conor, now aged 8, has really applied himself at school and is even a self starter when it comes to homework. He recently won a Chinese public speaking contest at Chinese school, the judging panel expressing surprise because “he’s not a native speaker and his father is a foreigner”. Two weeks later he took out first prize for Chinese story telling. Well done Conor!
We trust that your year has been a good one and we look forward to hearing about it. We send our sincerest wishes to you and yours for a very happy Christmas and a great New Year.
Colin and Yvonne