Christmas 2020

Greetings from Tubac, AZ

2020 has been a challenge for us all. There doesn't seem to be a lot of personal news. We have been blessed with a lot of sunshine to help us through the shut-down. It made it easier to be able to enjoy the out of doors when the house became too tedious. 

The year started out like any other. We had a lovely Christmas in Ohio with all the various assorted Calvin Smiths in attendance. 

Ted's not in the picture because he took the picture. It was a very special time together, made more so by not being able to get together this year.

  Millie won our hearts with her soulful eyes and wonderful smile. Ted and I hadn't seen her in several years so it was a real treat to spend some time with her. But her favorite person was Aaron. He always was a bit of a Pied Piper with kids.

 

We arrived back home on Jan 1. We had Stephen Ministry meetings and Bible studies to attend. I met weekly with my Care Receiver. 

I was taking a weekly drawing class, and Ted was spending lots of time walking Tubac, taking pictures, and sharing them on Facebook. 

The last day of February we flew down to our time-share in Cabo San Lucas. We had such a lovely time in the sun, swimming, reading, visiting Todo Santos where the infamous Hotel California is located (one of 3), and the home of the best margaritas in Mx. 

 

  Little did we know we were resting up for the pandemic. We returned to Arizona on Sat, Mar 14, went to church on Sunday, and the shut-down started on Monday, Mar 16.

 

March-August, we were figuring out how to stay in touch with family and friends. Church began offering services online. We learned about Zoom and have weekly check-ins with our kids and Ted's sister and B-i-L who all live in the Philly area. 

In August we decided that the numbers were going down enough to travel to Philadelphia. We spent 2 1/2 weeks at Becca's apartment in Old City, and Aaron, Bernadetta, and Konrad came into town several evenings each week for dinner. We only went out on one excursion to the Barnes Museum. They had limited tickets given out for specific times. It was a very special trip.  

Then everyone came to Becca's apartment to help Ted and I mark our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We were so blessed to be able to share such a special day with family. Aaron is taking the picture. 

                                            
We canceled our trip to Philly for Thanksgiving. The numbers were just getting too high to be safe.

 I have started editing our church newsletter. It takes about a week each month and keeps my creative juices flowing. 

Ted and I have enjoyed the Philadelphia Orchestra on line and various other concerts. We have each taken online courses to help fill our days and keep our minds alert.

It has been a blessing and tedious to have so much free time. But I hope we won't go back to packing our schedules again once the Corona Virus is in the rearview mirror.

We hope you have been safe and found meaningful ways to fill your days.

Blessings for the coming year.

Gee-Gee & Ted