Christmas Newsletter - 2017

 

                                                                                               

Merry Christmas to our friends and family!

 

The year 2017 started on a low note for the McGraw’s.  Mary’s last remaining aunt and uncle died within three days of each other in December.  I (Mary), and my brother and sister not only inherited the house – but, also the job of cleaning out 67 years of living in that house!  We took a Caribbean cruise in February with our dear friends, Dan and Dolores Otte, to recuperate from all that hard work!

 

We have had more-than-our share of sadness this year:  My brother, Steve – age 75 – suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP – a frozen gait form of Parkinson’s Disease) for over 13 years and died on Father’s Day in June.  Norm’s brother, Bill – one week shy of 87- died in September.  We miss them very much – especially this time of the year. 

 

The highlight of 2017, however, was when our son, David, married the lovely Elyse Niemann in July.  They live in Reno, Nevada, and the outdoor wedding in the mountains was truly beautiful.   

 

The second highlight of the year was our Viking River Cruise in August.  We started in Prague, traveled to several cities in Germany and ended in Paris.  Ironically, we met another couple from Australia – named Mary and Norm!  Norm also got to demonstrate the original Guttenberg printing press in Mainz, Germany.  We now have the first page of the bible as a souvenir!

 

And, the last highlight of 2017 is when our entire family celebrated Norm’s 80th birthday the end of November.  David and Elyse flew in to surprise him – and he was surprised.  I really thought he might have suspected something since I started cleaning the house from top to bottom; however, I guess he never noticed!


As many of you know, I have sung Handel's Messiah with the St. John's Lutheran Chorus for many years.  Singing this wonderful and enriching oratorio is one of the highlights of the year.  To me, it's the start of the Christmas season

 

We’re looking forward to spending some time this winter in Sun City West, Arizona.  We wish you a wonderful Christmas and a fun and happy 2018!

 

Love,

Mary and Norm

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