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| Susan Vandenberg Reynar |
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| Dear Class Members, I have been thoughtfully "listening" to the various discussions among our classmates over the past months: Merja's experiences, the recent US presidency election, the war in Iraq, etc. I am struck by how much unites us in our shared past - and all that divides us. I value hearing how your thoughts and experiences evolve. As the new year begins for each one of us, my prayer is that grace, joy, and peace will be woven in our lives, so that God's healing and hope flow through us to touch the "brokeness" in ourselves and in our world. I have been helping my girls wrap Christmas gifts for exchanges at school, etc... If I was to "wrap up" the personal details of my life for you, they would go into three boxes: gratefulness, sadness and dreams. Gratefulness: - A sufficient income to maintain our own home and daily needs. - The ability to be a caregiver and companion to Rod, Anika (10), Joya (7), and Mom and Dad. - For two healthy, energetic daughters who are doing well in school, figure skating, gymnastics and music. - An accessible home and van that facilitate the needs of Rod and my Dad who are both in wheelchairs. - Tobia and George and family who are living here in Olds for 1 year (on home leave from mission work in Macau). - Loving / trusting family relationships. - A caring community of friends. - The arrival of Monica (John's wife) to spend Christmas with us. It is 6 years since John's death and she is bringing her fiance to meet us. Sadness: - The continued minute by minute struggle for Rod to be present to us despite the pain that ravages his lower extremities 24/7. - The lack of further medical options to help Rod cope. - The realization, following our raod trip to Oregon this summer, that extended travel is no longer possible for Rod. - The slow, steady progression of dementia for my Dad, who no longer speaks but connects with his eyes in short, "knowing", moments. - The recent hospitalization in Calgary of my Mom for assessment due to depression, confusion and increased struggle coping with Parkinsons. (She has been living in our home for just over a year since Dad moved to a Long Term Care Centre which is a 2 minute drive from our home). - The loss of my brother John, especially when it comes to issues related to the ongoing support of my parents, and in light of Tobia and George's return to Macau in July 2005. Dreams: - To restore a healthy balance by maintaining my own physical, emotional and spiritual fitness. - To take more training in Universal Design, an approach that accomodates a diverse range of physical and mental abilities. I would like to consult as an environmental / interior designer when it becomes financially necessary for me to work. I look forward to reading your letters and seeing your pictures. If you are traveling to the Canadian Rockies or up to Alaska, please stop in to see us. We live one hour north of Calgar, Alberta. I am including a picture of my family - the three people who are the wind under my wings!!! Noel, Susan |
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