As we say goodbye to 2015, it seems like a good time to
share some thoughts with family and friends.
Despite some rough patches, it has been a good year and I am
grateful. Life continues to be
challenging, but I’ve settled into a kind of rhythm that is much more
contented and peaceful. I’m working hard
on learning to be happy right now (as the little meme here says) rather than seeking happiness somewhere in the future. And I’d have
to say I’d give myself a solid B+ on my efforts.
2015 started in a deep freeze. Remember?
It’s hard to remember since temperatures have been so gracious so far
this winter. I remember precious little
about January and February except the cold, ice, and snow.
April brought the annual gathering of the “YaYa
Sisterhood” in my house. A
collection of friends from childhood, high school, college, and other parts of
life who have all gotten to know each other over the years and have become
friends. We get together annually and it
is one of my favorite weekends of the year. The sisters travel from across the US to be together. I love these good women so much.
They are my unbiological sisters and I’m so grateful.
Within days after their visit I experienced one of the
year’s heartbeaks. My soulmate dog
Corona the goldendoodle developed a nasal tumor and was suffering. Instead of prolonging his suffering to try to
hold on to him for my own sake, I chose to set him free and send his precious
spirit to heaven. (The pope says he’s
there and I’m sticking with that!) Corona stuck by my side through thick and thin over the past 10 years and I still miss him
terribly. 
May. Yes that was a
month. The day after Mother’s Day I
developed what I originally thought was a stomach bug. I got sicker through the night and asked
Brennan to come when he got off work in the morning to help me. He took me to West Penn Hospital where it was
quickly determined that I was sicker than I realized. After a couple of days in the ICU, LOTS of
tests, I learned a lot of weird stuff about myself. I have a weird heart rhythm. I have a hole in my heart. Not a big deal but odd that it had never been
diagnosed. I have an oddly formed duct
in my pancreas that appears to be a tumor on a CT scan. Thank God it wasn’t. It was finally determined that I had suffered
a bout of ischemic colitis, in other words, a “heart attack” of the colon. I apparently threw a blood clot, but
instead of it going to my heart or my brain (either of which could have been far
more devastating), it went to my colon and caused significant bleeding. But after a few days of being supported in
the hospital I recovered well. I
followed up with lots of cardiac testing, and for now the only treatment is a
daily baby aspirin to help prevent future clots. It was all quite scary, but I’m so grateful
to have come through in good shape. And
I’m so grateful for the friends and family who helped me through this
time.
May ended on a good note when Brennan, Kaley, friend Tom and
I did a long weekend trip to Universal Studios and Harry Potter World in
Florida. The kids have wanted to do this
ever since Harry’s stuff opened at Universal.
It was a really fun weekend just having Brennan and Kaley together since those times are few and precious. I know that
some of you wonder about this Tom who often appears in my photos and at family
events. He is my person. He changes my lightbulbs and fixes my cars. We eat together a couple of evenings a
week. We travel together. He was with me through the health scares of
this year. We enjoy each other’s company
and care for and support each other. He
is a good friend and I feel very blessed to have him in my life.
Speaking of Tom, June brought a wonderful trip to New York,
Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Lots
of miles in just over a week. Good
company. Good views. Good walks.
Good food. A good vacation.
Also in June was the arrival of a surprising blessing in our
lives. Brennan has been dating a young
woman named Nicole, who has a 2 year old little girl, whom I refer to publicly
as “The Cutie Patutie.” (Her name is actually Kyla.) I have to admit, I first I held
Kyla at arms length, determined not to get attached since who knows how long she
will be around. I have failed miserably.
She calls me “Wa” and she is a joy and a blessing. Life and love require us to be vulnerable
sometimes… and yet isn’t it worth the risk? 
July & August – flew by – lots of work activities and
opportunities to babysit the Cutie Patutie. I continue to
enjoy my challenging work at Redstone Presbyterian SeniorCare, where my title is now VP for Mission Support. I am convinced that non-profit fundraising
becomes more difficult every year.
Our largest gifts come in the form of legacy gifts. It is such a privilege to talk to our
residents about their legacies. Brennan also still works at Redstone as a nurses aid on the night shift. He's been able to bring Kyla to some events at Redstone, including the block party where this picture was snapped.
October brought our annual “First Saturday in October Kiski
Gathering” for the Class of ’79 and friends.
We do it every year at the local VFW and it is such a wonderful night of
reconnecting. I look forward to this annually and I’m grateful for the relationships it has helped to forge.
Later in October I had a chance to spend a weekend with
my precious friends Jill and Joy. We
were college roommates, best of friends, and we’re still going strong after all
these years. I am so grateful for both
of them. Jill lives in Alabama and Joy in Maryland but we make sure to see each other at least once a year. 
November means our annual Highlands Fling fundraiser supporting free
care for residents in need at Redstone. It is our biggest event of the year and a lot of work for my team. I was so grateful that “my tribe” showed up to support me. It was a successful night and hopefully
everyone had a good time!
December brought the usual festivities and frenzy. Kaley has been home from the city since early last week. I so enjoy having her home
but she is loving her life in New York City.
She works hard to be financially independent. She continues to coach gymnastics at the
Jewish Community Center in Manhattan and has a couple of families she babysits
for on a very regular basis. Last summer
she did the “nanny in the Hamptons thing” which was financially
successful. She still hopes to begin nursing
school next fall. Please keep her in
your prayers as she goes through the application process. The admissions process is very stressful in
NYC since the number of candidates far outnumbers the available spots in the
schools offering accelerated nursing programs which is what she needs on top of
her BS in Biology. We’ll be returning
her to the city on January 1. Sad
sigh.
I must give a brief update on “the fur kids.” My brood now includes two dogs and two
cats. Chickapee is 7 years old and
neurotic. Mimi is 9 and is the dog that
I inherited from Aunt Helen a few years ago.
She is slightly less neurotic and spends most of her time looking for a
lap to land on. Yellow Kitty aka Buddy
is supposed to be Brennan’s cat. I’m not
sure Yellow Kitty knows this. He is big
and cuddly with me and hissy with most other people. Meredith Grey, my tiny little fragile rescue
kitty is doing great. Her coat is now
thick and beautiful and while she remains tiny she is tough. She has single handedly destroyed my
Christmas tree and broken many ornaments this year. But I love her anyway.
I'll close (FINALLY!) with two family photos.
The first is one we tried to take early in the fall for me to use with
the “Christmas letter.” Believe it or
not, this was the best shot we got… and I love it. It’s so us.
We’re a mess. We don't pay attention very well. But we love each other. Included in the
photo is the young man I call “Bonus Son Ronnie.” Ronnie continues to stay very busy traveling
the world. I’m happy that he’s having so
many adventures, but I miss him. But this picture makes me smile.
The second is our Christmas morning
selfie. Those of you who see me on
Facebook know that I am the queen of selfies.
And I have no shame of that. I love seeing pictures from so many friends via social media. I feel like our family members and loved ones are just a few keystrokes away and a very real presence in our lives. I LOVE that. So excuse me please if I keep snapping away with the pictures.
There is a quote from
the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch where Stitch says “This is my family. I found
it all on my own. It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah - still good.” Exactly.
That’s us, and I love it.
2015 has been filled with challenges, love, and blessings
abundant. God has been good, all the time. May 2016 be full of love,
peace, and joy for all of us.
XOXO
Lisa
