.
1294
Highridge Dr.
Kamloops,
BC V2C 5G6
Dear
Friends,
I always want to start this
letter reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas. This year we got a
Christmas message from the Interim Dean and President Frank Fornaro. Advent is a time hope, a time for joy, a time for light and wait in jubilant for light, when darkness and cold encroaches,upon our days, we work and we wait in jubilant anticipation of a new beginning.
As
always years seem to go so quickly—if it weren’t for the snow out my window and two deer grazing on the little stubs of grass left from the summer I
would wonder how it could be December already!! This has been a good year for
me—full of many varied event.
In
March I fulfilled
one of my life long dreams—to go to South Africa. Many of our generation
lived
watching the horrors of apartheid there. I wanted to walk in the foots
steps of
Nelson Mandela and I got to do that. I arrived very early in
Johannesburg and
the tour I was going to be on provided a guide for the day. He was
amazing and
so knowledgeable—I had a great time. I had wanted to see Soweto, so he
took me
there. I was amazed to see there were 3 distinct areas. A wealthy
section with
lovely homes, a middle class part and a very poor section who were still
awaiting the homes they had been promised when the government changed.
The next
day I figured out how to tour the city on my own—the major thing I saw
was the
Apartheid Museum.I got to know a wonderful woman in Johannesburg who ran
the tourist shop in the hotel. We said we felt like "soul-sisters. Both
of us wish we were closer. He name is Vivian.

After
these two wonderful days I began the tour I had signed on to. Except for going
to a game preserve for 2 days the tour had much to be desire—mainly a tour
leader who was a bigot and a racist. It was a German tour—which I did not
know—so only 3 of us spoke English—the tour guide was also German. Enough
said—the game preserve was amazing see all the animals just a few yards from
our vehicle—we saw the “Big Five” before 8 am!!
When I came back spring
was sprung about everywhere—about 7 weeks early. I had a great summer finishing
up most of what I had wanted to do with the gardens. It was a hot summer—much
to my liking.
Then the day after Labour Day I headed back to Viet Nam with a
group of 8. I had a great time catching up with friends and showing the group
the wonders of Viet Nam. I am always somewhat amazed on how each one’s
perspective changes—see Viet Nam with new ideas and letting go of preconceived
perceptions. I hope to go back fall 2016
and would love to travel with you, so please give it serious thought—it will
change your life (as almost all of the travellers tell me).
In October I spent the
week of Halloween with my nephew, Ryan, and his wife, Lisa, two adorable great
nieces and a one-year-old nephew. I had a wonderful time—The girls love to play
board games and we played lots. Halloween was fun and I “personed” the door so the
family could go trick or treating together.
I went to the amputee conference in Tucson in
July. I had a great time as always, but even more importantly I discovered a
new foot that promised to give me more stability. So, I ordered it and it truly
give me more stability—I did not even fall at Ryan’s house despite the mine
field of little trucks, game pieces and lots more. It really has changed my
life—it also feels so much like my own real leg. Mine is pink!
My
constant companion also had a good year. She loved the long days of summer as
we could get to exercise time to play ball—of course you know she is a
ball-a-holic. She has become even more
loving and gentle. I still volunteer two afternoons at Habitat for Humanity and
she is the faithful mascot for those afternoons, sleeping four hours and
occasionally makes a child’s day.
May
you have a blessed and great 2016!!
Peace,
Beth Marie and Mariah of the Wind