Holiday Letter to Family and Friends

Winter photos.

I sent an earlier version of this Christmas letter with cards via US Mail, too late to arrive on time for Christmas. I'm ready to get back to blogging, and this seems like an appropriate item. Happy New Year, everyone!

Enjoying a Boca Ciega Bay boat ride

Merry Christmas! The weather was so balmy throughout December that I was surprised to see a little dusting of snow just before Christmas, and recent snow confirms that we may have a Minnesota winter after all. Our hearts are still full of holiday spirit as continue to enjoy the December break and look forward to a New Year.

Our year has been busy. We spent March in St. Pete Beach, Florida, and enjoyed a beautiful month of perfect weather. For the first time, I screwed up my courage and shared some of the driving with Bob. His new 2015 Traverse was a joy to drive and I was quite proud to take my turn at the wheel for a few hundred miles each way of the journey, marveling at the vast expanse of transition landscape, with winter and summer at either end.

Granddaughter Angie and her husband Mike welcomed baby Henry to their family in May, making 3-year-old Will a proud big brother, and Bob a great-great grandfather once again.


Bob holding baby Henry, with of the grandchildren and great grandchildren on his birthday

After a big family party for Bob’s birthday in June, we flew to California for grandson Tyler’s high school graduation. We spent a few days in our favorite Monterey Bay before the event, and had a lovely time on winding 17 Mile Drive before visiting the world-famous Pebble Beach Resort, where even a non-golfer like me felt steeped in the history of golf and its traditions.

Bob with grandson Tyler

We were joined in Fresno by sons John and Chris, as well as John and Trudy’s boys, Adam and Mitchell. A graduation is an emotional event and I found myself thinking back to Tyler’s mom, Mary, who was a new graduate about Tyler’s age when I first met her in 1982. Mary hosted two graduation dinners with extended family members we haven’t seen for some time. Happy days.

 

John, Adam, Bob, Chris, Mitchell at Yosemite

The next morning, John piled the Minnesotans into his rental SUV and drove us to Yosemite for an unsettled and occasionally stormy day. It was nostalgic to see Adam and Mitchell walk through the ancient Sequoia forest, much as we had nearly 20 years ago around the time Tyler was born. For once, Bob was a passenger and could look around at panoramic views. Best field trip ever.

We ended the California junket with a couple of days in San Francisco. We were especially pleased that Mary joined us overnight, and on the Sunday morning, Cousin Michele Hennessey treated us to mid-morning brunch at her apartment with spectacular view of San Francisco. It was heartwarming to see seven cousins from three generations delighted to be in one another’s company. The Hennessey sociability gene was clearly in evidence as Michele put on a gorgeous gourmet meal, perfectly presented and served.

Hennessey cousins from 3 generations: Standing bhind Bob are Chris, Mary, Michele, John, Adam, Mitchell

Bob and I spent a few days in Crosslake in mid-August. While the weather was not particularly cooperative, we loved being out in the boat (newly repaired by John Hennessey) as we slipped back to many favorite Whitefish Chain spots. One day we had lunch at Bar Harbor, where the drinks are excellent and the food is even better. Maybe that’s vice versa.

We took a Corvette run to the Black Hills over Labor Day weekend. While I hadn’t been particularly enthusiastic when we set out, of course we had a wonderful time. The Vette sped across I-90, now with a “strict 80 mph” speed limit. It was hot in the Hills, and at Devil’s Tower, Wyoming, where we watched climbers scale the big rock. My favorite stop was the Crazy Horse Memorial, where I was enveloped in the spirituality of the Lakota culture that enriches the Midwest. I was privileged to talk with several artists whose reverence for the land and its inhabitants inspired me and informed our few days in this stark and stunning part of the world. On the same day, we saw Mount Rushmore just as the sun began to fall in the late summer sky. Spectacular.

Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota

In October we went to the North Shore of Lake Superior, but our hotel was near Spirit Mountain on the south side of Duluth rather than in our usual Two Harbors destination. The change gave us our North Shore excursions on the first day but an easy drive home. Just after Halloween, we traveled south along the Mississippi River to Lacrosse, where temperatures were summer warm. We couldn’t have asked for a happier last fall run, and November seemed very far away as the sun burned hot over the river.

Many of our activities were curtailed in November and December, as I was ill for much of the time. After months of with persistent intestinal issues, I caught a nasty virus and developed a sinus infection and pneumonia. Fortunately (for me, not so much for her), my sister Marilyn was visiting. I wasn't up to our usual outings but Marilyn donned her MD hat to take charge of my medical care, working closely with my nurse practitioner Jennifer Bottem from Fairview Highland Clinic. Marilyn and Jenny made sure I made it through several very difficult nights, and I felt very comforted, finally hopeful that I would eventually get well.

By December 14, I felt desperately sick and was admitted to the University of Minnesota Medical Center the next day. I was soon diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, which I had suspected for some time. Treatment with prednisone was immediate and will continue for about a month; yesterday I began longer term therapy that includes several medications that should make me feel a lot better. Amazingly, I am fantastic right now and so grateful to be under the care of an excellent University of Minnesota medical team.

Everyone at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-- doctors, residents, students, nurses, nursing assistants, housekeeping staff, phlebotomists, transporters, pharmacy and administrative personnel, food service -- was so kind, compassionate and competent. I was nursed back to health with great care and skill by UMMC professionals. They are among the best in the world.

After a simple Thanksgiving at home because of my illness, Bob and I enjoyed celebrating Mexican Christmas Eve with the Muñoz family, followed by a large Christmas Day pot luck dinner hosted by Meggan Kerkenbush and Scott Hennessey. I was thrilled to shop (all online this year) for 12 children under the age of 9 – an energetic new generation.

We wish you a very happy holiday, filled with good health, blessings and happiness in the New Year.

Love,

Bob & Catherine (cahennessey@comcast.net; http://www.catherinehennesseyblog.com)