I am just taking a deep breath and being so thankful to have come through the past two years more or less intact, and hopefully a bit wiser and more compassionate.

My first, life-enhancing gift to myself is to continue learning. I have long worked with fabric & fibers, and dabbled in other media, thinking I would love to paint. My efforts in 2020-2021 have shown me that while I may master the technical aspects of color, composition, and brushwork, the artistic - drawing - is out of reach. So I have returned to my love of fiber, and begun to work with wool & other fiber felting. I am beyond delighted so far, and have begun a careful collection of fibers and tools, and begun on-line and in-person classes. So look forward to pictures of my efforts at making "things", and at fiber "painting"

My second gift - to self and husband - is to celebrate our 50th anniversary with as big a "splash" as we can manage. When we met and married, we were poor students, so our entire wedding, including our clothing and reception, cost our 2 families less than $400. This year, we will celebrate twice, once on the day with my brother, sister-in-law, and close friends, at out favorite restaurant in northern Mexico. Come summer we will be having a larger outdoor celebration at home - my daughter & her friend are already planning it! If Covid permits, we will cap it off with a twice-delayed trip to Europe in the Fall.

My third gift - to self, family and friends - is to work harder to see each person as a whole and unique being, and cherish them for it. That will mean letting go of some expectations, and embracing some more challenging parts of myself and others.

Blessings to all of you.
Sue