What a different year 2020 has been. It started just like the last 15, or so, years have started for us….enjoying sunny Florida. We soon began hearing stories of a strange virus the Chinese had created but it didn’t seem too serious to us at the time since we were in Florida and not China. The two months that we stayed here were no different than the previous years…we enjoyed visiting friends, eating inside the restaurants, going to church, shopping whenever we wanted, basking on the beaches, and going to the movies or the pool whenever we wanted. Oh how that all changed shortly after we got back home. We soon became home bound, wearing mask anytime we went outside, attended church only two times during the month of March…haven’t been back in the building since, and we avoid ALL people that did not live within our house. We assumed this would only last a couple of weeks but were we ever misinformed.
Here it is new years eve of 2020 and we are still home bound, wearing mask, avoiding contact with others, and online shopping only, even for groceries. During this year Grayson’s senior year of high school was a bust…no senior day, no prom, no graduation. It was the same for our two college graduates, Jerod and Meredith. No in person graduation…online ceremony was just not the same…and no way to really celebrate with family and friends.
We had a backyard wedding in June for Jerod and Rebekah with a total of 15 present. It really was sweet but the original one would have been over 200 in attendance in Tennessee. Also, no honeymoon to Italy was happening. Big difference but married life is agreeing with them and they are both doing well. Jerod is in medical school at UK and Rebekah is working towards a doctorate in chemistry at UK. Our second wedding was for Kyle and Gabby in November. It, too, was very small but so very sweet in Russellville, KY…held in a greenhouse. Due to COVID we missed the rehearsal dinner along with all of the reception. We did attend the wedding with our mask on…only ones wearing them…and so very glad we went. They were able to go to Mexico for their honeymoon and had a great time.
After Meredith graduated, in just 3 years, she began working for a law firm as a paralegal and is still working for them currently. She and Colton became engaged and are planning a wedding in May of 2021. They will be attending Ole Miss. in the fall…her in law school and he’ll be teaching along with working on his masters.
Tyler is enjoying his time at EKU and will, also, graduate within a 3 years time. He’s a pilot studying aviation and getting all the certifications he can so he can be an instructor either the spring, or fall, of ‘21. He’ll be a great pilot…same a Jim, Jr…and is planning on flying commercial planes. Madi is in cosmetology school and will be a fantastic stylist with her artistic abilities.
Lacey has changed places of employment which is a very good thing. Louisville is so dangerous and she was able to get on with the Wichita, KS police department and is currently living with her parents. She married Kendal back in the summer and she’s very happy with her life.
Chase and Tara welcomed a second son to their family in December and he’s so cute. Sonny is being a very good big brother and they are all doing well. Sean and Tracy bought a home this fall and have settled in nicely. They’ve been in an apartment all their married life so this is great for them. Branden moved back to California and is loving it. Chance and Emily are well and we don’t get to see them due to COVID but they, too, have two darling little boys.
The twins are growing like bad weeds and have had a good year, in spite of the virus. They both do very well in school, love sports…football and basketball…and looking forward to getting back to life as they previously knew it. Allison is working from home, permanently, so that’s worked out well with the child care issues, etc.
Carter and Lori moved to Florence, AL and bought a home on Shoals Creek and seem to be loving it. They both retired this year and are enjoying the freedom that has allowed them to travel and check on all their sweet grandkids. Clark and Vanessa seem to stay busy keeping up with her shop of either “pick” or “refinishing” all the treasures they find. They have been quite successful even with the virus. Scott and Allison are doing well and nothing out of the ordinary going on with them and raising Neyland and Turner has to be a joy. Melissa and Byron both stay busy with their jobs. Byron was put on nights and that’s been an adjustment. Melissa continues to do well with real estate and they, too, have an empty nest. Tanya and Daniel are now empty nesters and that’s been an adjustment. Grayson and Blake are still at Lipscomb University in Nashville, but have been home quite a bit because of the virus being so prevalent on campus. This is certainly not their choice of how to do college but we’re praying it will soon be much better.
This year in celebrating the life of Ryan seem to have hit us rather hard. He is missed and the sadness prevails but we do find JOY in knowing he’s finally at peace.
Guess that’s about it for now. Have a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2021 be a year of finding our new normal and looking at all the blessings we take for granted. I love you all and so very thankful for you. You are a blessing in my life.
Blessing….