Christmas Letter

To All My Friends, Family, Readers, Students, and lurkers.

2009 was a fast-paced year. 

The first half of the year was wrapped up in getting ready for Brant & Maira's wedding.  I don't remember doing much in the Spring other than get ready for a wedding. They were married June 6.  It was a beautiful wedding on a sunny day.  Family from all over the world gathered to help our families celebrate.  Maira is great; we love her like our very own.  I am happy that Brant found such a wonderful young lady to love and share his life with.

Brant graduated from college in May with his degree in education and certification in Elementary Education and Middle School Math.  We worried a little about him finding a job because of the budget reductions throughout the state.  He was blessed to be offered a job teaching 3rd grade in Calhoun, GA just an hour before he and Maira boarded the ship for the honeymoon cruise.  He has coached with a good friend of ours for the past two years at Calhoun High School (track), and that definitely helped.  Maira had already finished her LPN work and had a job.  She is now back in school, working toward her RN degree.

I also finished my first year back in the classroom in May.  It was good to be back with students of my own.  I think, at least for now, that the classroom is where I will stay for the rest of my career.  Unless the school/state decides that Social Studies is unnecessary, it will be in the Social Studies room.  I really enjoy teaching ELL students. There is a natural curiosity and desire to learn something new for them.  Coupled with their "innocence" it is a great place to be.

Shelley had challenges at work too.  Two of the four doctors left the practice, so the two remaining doctors and staff had to do the work of a four-doctor office.  Lots of extra hours, lots of stress, lots of need for a relaxing breaks.

After the wedding, it was time to relax a bit.

We went rafting on the Hiwasee River a couple times this summer: once with Shelley's co-worker and her husband.  Then we took Brant, Maira, Jordan, and Nancy with us.  Brant lost a flip-flop when our raft got stuck on the the rocks, so if you see one floating downstream, let us know.

Brant & Maira adopted a lost puppy when they were in Memphis this summer, visiting some of Maira's family. Bailey (our grand-dogter) has quite a life; she goes everywhere they do, and was on the beach in Miami this week.

The new school year started in August. I think I have the best single class I have ever had this year; and overall, the students are really good kids. It has been fun working with them. It has been a time for me to reflect on my purpose in life.  All the national testing debate and focus on data for the past 10 years became a distraction to me.  I think I have overcome that, and am comfortable doing what I think is right for the kids I have. It has been a great first half of the year.  Lots of learning, lots of sharing.

Jordan was beginning his Senior year of college.  He says he finally has to study.  So to add to his responsibilities, he decided to take advantage of the $8000 first-time-home-buyer rebate and buy a house.  He bought a very nice brick house in Dalton.  It's just a few houses away from his girlfriend's parents house.  Sounds convenient, but Nancy spends her time in Kennesaw away at college.  Jordan has been working as a graphic artist since he was in high school, and saved enough money to buy a house before graduating college.  No help from Dad & Mom.  I'm very proud of him.

Brant & Maira were living in an apartment in Adairsville until September, when they bought their first home in Calhoun in October.  The rebate helped both of the boys.  Since I consider a government rebate to be my tax dollars, I'm glad both boys took advantage of it. :^)

In September, Shelley and I returned to Illinois for the funeral of my best friend's mother. If you have seen the movie Stand By Me, you'll remember the final scene when the narrator/writer of the story finishes his story typing something like - "I've never had friends like the ones I had when I was 12...does anyone?"  Well, for me the answer is "no."  My dad died in May of 2004.  I hadn't seen Mike in years...many years. He and his beautiful wife, Wanda, and their children came to the visitation.  That support was priceless.  Then in September 2008, my mom died.  Before she died, Mike called me and said he went to see Mom in the hospital, and that I needed to come home to see her.  We stayed at Mike's house, and it was probably among her last good days.  About three weeks later Mom died.  Mike's family was there again.  This year, it was my turn. Mike's mom died, so Shelley and I immediately loaded the car and headed home.  In a town of about 4000 people, more than 1800 people walked through the visitation line to give their condolences.  It was a celebration of a life lived for God and others.

In October, Shelley and I decided it was time for us to take our first vacation without the boys (24 years in waiting).  We took a cruise to the Bahamas. We had been there before with the boys. This time it was just us.  It was a relaxing, enjoyable time.  We kayaked in the ocean, swam and held stingrays, and watched the sunset over the ocean.  It was the break we both needed.  We both realized we are in a new phase of our lives together.  It's actually very strange to not focus on the boys and their needs/wants.  We are beginning to think of what the two of us will begin to do without having to consider the boys in our plans.  We are giving very serious thought to travelling the world, on short-term mission, nursing, and education trips.  Shelley is likely heading back to school to get her RN.  That will give us some options for traveling with Doctors Without Borders, Nurses Without Borders, Teachers Without Borders, and something she wants to do Operation Smile.

Thanksgiving was fun.  Jordan, Brant & Maira and Maira's mom (Donna) came to our house for a meal.  Maira's dad (John) was in Greece (his homeland) at the time. We ate, relaxed, and watched a movie together.

Shelley and I just celebrated our 26th year of marriage in December.  We are now preparing to go to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge.  John & Deanna (Shelley's sister and husband), Brant & Maira, Jordan & Nancy, Jonathan (nephew), and Gabe & Jennifer (niece and husband) are renting a mountain cabin for 3 days.  Hoping to ice skate, maybe ski, see a show, and do some shopping. But really looking forward to playing cards, board games, and having fun with family.

Another big change this year was reconnecting with friends from years gone by.  Most people know I am an early adopter of online technology.  I used it primarily for professional purposes for the past decade.  This year, I connected with friends and acquaintences from college and high school.

Hoping your Christmas is blessed, your New Year is filled with dreams that are met.

God bless.

Ric & Shelley

Posted via email from Murry's World