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| Rosella Trotter Long Quote 2001: It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly the way they are, without any self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognized. - I Ching, Hexagram 5 Hsu,Waiting Nourishment - Hi Class of 82 Greetings from Lexington, Kentucky, home of the Bluegrass, Horses, and UK Basketball. We're enjoying the sunny summer weather. Our two sons, Tucker and Dylan are now age 8 and 3. Tucker is very involved in TaeKwonDo and has reached Green Senior Belt. Of course friends, Nintendo, his bike and roller blades are other involvements. Dylan is almost 4 and is beginning to follow along with Tucker and his friends. He loves the Wild Thornberrys (great show for us overseas types!) and Rugrats. I'm back to work, this time for the local Mental Health Center. I do counseling for children in a clinic and also in a local school setting. ...truly, can't believe it's been 20 (or 19) years! Rose |
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Page Ten Rosella Trotter Long Susan Vandenberg Reynar Next |
| Susan Vandenberg Reynar Posted on our Guest Book on 21 November 2001 at 06:58pm Sorry that I missed the newsletter. It was so good to hear new from friends of the past!! Lately, I have been reflecting a lot on those years and am so grateful for memories that are so healthy!!! This is our third year in Olds. Rod and I have two incredible daughters: Anika (7) and Joya (4). We live across the street from Anika's school in a home that we have just renovated this summer to make it wheelchair accessible for Rod and for my Dad. (My parents now live in Olds. Dad has dimentia). Since Johnny died, Mom has really struggled. My sister, Tobia, lives in Macau, so mom and dad count on Rod and I for support. 1 year ago, Rod retired from his job (and professional life) as Dean of Ag Production, Business and Animal Science at Olds College due to poor health. He has struggled with Arachnoiditis now for 4 years and it has progressed to the point where his pain levels require him to be lying down about 20 hours of the day. He moves around the house in his wheelchair and ventures out of the house for short periods of time 2-3 times a week. He has an implanted Spinal Chord Stimulator, but breakthrough pain still requires high doses of narcotics. Pain does not make Rod into a monster. He is the love of my life and lives life as a hero in his own humble, self-sacrificing way. My full-time calling in life right now is that of companion to Rod and caregiver to my kids and parents. Rod's employer had insurance which provides incredible disability benefits. To make ends meet we have turned a portion of our basement into a rental suite. One goal for myself is to look for spontaneous moments of joy in each day and to "lighten up" in my outlook on life. It was a joy to read up on many of you and I have caught myself smiling many times today just thinking of you. |
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