2020 is a year that most
of us will never forget. One of hottest years on record, fires all over the
West, racial unrest, an election that got really ugly, and then there was
Covid19.
But to reflect on our
year, probably much like yours, we stayed home a lot. Nancy making quilts and
watching the grandkids, and me in the shop.
January saw Nancy’s
mother becoming frail, losing weight, and her memory. We started talking
about moving her into a care home.
February began with
friends from New Mexico visiting and then the Ohio family came out to celebrate
Nancy’s mother’s (Beverly) 90th birthday and Nancy’s 70th,
which Nancy and some friends held an “0” party for those rounding the decade.
Our family also remembered it was 5 years since our son Tony passed.
In March, Nancy and I
were getting excited about our April trip to New Zealand… but then all travel
was cancelled, and so was our trip. Many businesses were shut down and new
restrictions were sat in place.
As April rolled around,
I was juggling three cars for restoration and repair, and Beverly continued to
deteriorate mentally. Nancy and I decided it was time to move her someplace
with 24 hour care. So now we had to sale her house to pay for her support.
May became very
interesting with a large 3 alarm brush fire within less than ¼ mile of our house. We
moved Bev into a private care home that was only a couple miles from the house.
I began to sub-out auto jobs due to my left knee hurting so much. A visit to an
orthopedic doctor confirmed my theory, I am getting old and arthritis was the
culprit.
June was brutal with
temperatures over 105 for many, many days. I stayed in the shop most of the day
and Nancy was hiking at 5 AM in the shadows of the mountains around us.
By July, we were all
going crazy with being shut-in, so our family pulled our campers up north to
John and Tina’s property and camped over the 4th holiday. I was
great to be cool and outside.
Another hotter than
normal August with California, Arizona, and most western states on fire. Bev’s
house was in escrow and hopefully would close soon. I was getting shots in my
left knee which helped somewhat.
September was the
same-old-same-old, except I attended more funerals of retired firefighters.
On the 26th
of October, Beverly Jane Huelsman passed quietly in her sleep. We received the
call early that morning from the care home when they found her lying in bed
motionless. Now Nancy and I both had no living parents.
Finally in November it became a
little cooler weather. After living in our house for over 20 years, Nancy
and I started talking about updating things, starting with the kitchen. Our
crew of retired firefighters and I were again at the Good Guys car show
displaying our beautiful 1978 American LaFrance fire truck we restored 5 years
previously. Thanksgiving was at our house with family and good friends. Our
largest gathering since the Pandemic started.
Now we are into
December, temperatures are finally where they supposed to be, in the 60s.
Kitchen remodel plans are moving forward and Christmas is just around the corner.
I pray for John and Tina daily because they both are on the front line in the
medical field. Just as I pray for your safety too. These are hard times for
everyone, some worse than others. Take time to share with others that may not be
as fortunate.
Nancy and I wish you ALL
a joyous, safe, healthy and blessed holiday season.
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