CHRISTMAS 2001

 

Well, 2001 was certainly a difficult year in many ways. Joe’s mother died at the end of January from an antibiotic resistant infection she contracted in a hospital in Omaha. We went to Omaha in mid-January to see her and she died two weeks later. It was bitterly cold the day of the funeral. Joe’s stepfather, Elmer Johnson, grieved deeply and died less than 10 months later. His funeral was the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was warmer, but pouring down rain as we said good-bye.

 

Jason was living and working in Manhattan on September 11. He watched the towers fall from the window of his office, approximately 2 miles away. He was able to e-mail within an hour of the attack to assure us he was safe. Loving and supporting him from a thousand miles away was hard, very hard. The economy in NYC nose-dived and he was laid-off from his job three weeks later.   He was with us at Thanksgiving and will be in San Francisco with my sister Joey over Christmas.

 

Kirkwood College offered an early retirement package unexpectedly last fall (due to budget problems in the state). Joe was eligible by age and years of service so he was one of the people offered the package, and he took it.  It’s a big change but we are both looking forward to it.  I can’t believe I am writing about retirement – I don’t think of either of us being old enough to retire.

 

Ellie (our cat) died in an auto accident. Two former students of Joe’s that he dearly admired died. One perished in an accident and another passed away  from a liver ailment. Another close relative had serious health issues, but has recovered.

 

In spite of the sad events during 2001 and the big changes taking place in our personal lives, the nation, and the world we recognize that we are incredibly fortunate. We wish good health, peace, and love to all of you.