Dear Family and Friends
I am ok; my family is ok; and I’m hoping that you, too, are all ok. While this year was not yet “normal,” due to the coronavirus and its variants, 2021 certainly was different from 2020. It took us most of this year, however, to feel comfortable enough to enter a restaurant. We still wear our masks when indoors in public places, because although we’ve been vaccinated and boosted, we have 3-yr-old Ozzie to protect. As I write this, the number of hospitalizations in the UP due to covid continue to set records for 2021.
Looking back at New Year’s Eve 2020, I think everyone was ready to say good riddance to that tragic, chaotic, stressful year. I know we were. But 2020 had one more big surprise: Scotti was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Of course we were shocked. But it was New Year’s Eve; Scotti suggested we all get dressed up and have a party. She did our makeup, everyone dressed in fancy clothes, we ate good food, drank champagne, and sang karaoke in her living room. (This pic was taken that night). A fitting end to the heartbreaking year 2020.
During the spring, Scotti underwent many tests at the University of Michigan hospital; the final diagnosis was an acoustic neuroma. The 12-hour surgery happened in July, and the doctors felt strongly that most, if not all, of the tumor was removed. I stayed at the hospital’s hotel, and was able to see Scotti in the ICU after her surgery. She was awake and animated (obviously on good meds), entertaining the nurse with a story about a dream she had, insisting that she was, “so funny! I’m really so funny!” After I had gone to bed that night, Scotti called. She needed her phone so she could put on white noise to sleep. Like any good mom, I got dressed and walked her phone back to her. It’s a long walk. In fact, during my stay, I averaged 18,000 steps per day, going back and forth to her room.
Because of covid, only one person per day was allowed to be with a patient, so Zack and I took turns for the five days she was in the hospital. After her release, my sole job was to help Scotti keep track and take the many meds that were prescribed (31 pills that first day). Zack and family helped care for Greenlea and Ozzie so Scotti could get her rest. Ozzie, not quite three, was a little wary of mom at first. Too many bandages. When the largest bandages came off, he was able to give his mom the biggest hug. I’m still so thankful for all the help she and Zack received from family and friends who flew in, drove down, or simply sent encouraging messages for the three weeks she needed to be in Ann Arbor.
It was a frightening time—a serious surgery, but Scotti has come through this so well. Although her face is still not where it should be—some doctors say it takes three months; others, one year—it’s coming. She’s healthy and stronger each day as she deals with some of the side effects of this surgery.
In case you know someone who could benefit from reading about Scotti’s experience, go to themomedit.com and search for Scotti Acoustic Neuroma, and her post in her own words will pop up. She read about the experience of others before her surgery; I’m sure her post will be of help as well.
Shana and Mike are getting ready to move from having children in elementary school to high school next year. Big changes. They bought a house in Vermont that they’re using as an Airbnb when not using it for themselves. The boys are on a ski team at the Stowe ski resort from January through March. Because Shana and Mike can both work from home, the boys will attend school in Morristown for those three months and then return to Philly. I get to see their new house as I’m flying to Vermont on the 21st to join them for Christmas. So excited. I know that Pax is eagerly awaiting my arrival. We have a bet that he will be taller than me by Christmas. In 2020 Raines and I would go back to back, and I would stretch up as tall as my short stature allowed. As you can see in the photo, like the Grinch, he grew “three sizes one day.” Now Pax is gunning for me. We last measured in October (when we were all together in Philly for a special friend’s wedding). We will see.
Greenlea is back in school so we have to be more creative in getting some time together. Sleepovers have helped. We usually have popcorn and watch a movie and in the morning we make pancakes. Greenlea delivers the extra ones to my next door neighbor. I love the fuss he makes over her and the pancakes. I get to spend time with Ozzie two afternoons a week as he attends preschool the other three. We enjoy lunch, play with toys, read books, and play hide and seek. During one game of hide and seek, I was hiding in my closet, but he wouldn’t open the door (even when slightly ajar). So I would open the door slowly and softly whisper, “Boo.” I think it scared him, because when it was my turn to hide again, he told me, “Nana, you hide, I count. And, Nana, no boo! Diz hide and seek!”
Our US/Canadian border didn’t reopen until the beginning of November so we didn’t get to see Adam or Krysta. But they’re coming here next July! In the meantime, we continue to see them on our family Zoom calls. Zach is a sophomore in college and Jakob has started his first year of law school in Victoria. They’ll be so glad to have the boys home for the holidays.
It will be four years in January since Bill passed. Sometimes it feels like yesterday. I miss him terribly, but I remind myself how lucky I was to have had him for almost 45 years. I am so thankful for the blessings in my life, the precious connections that I have, and the love of family and friends. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and hoping you enjoy the gift of time with your loved ones.
Love, Tina (& Bill in spirit)
PS: A Greenlea story from when we attended the wedding of one of Shana’s best friends, whom we all love.
Greenlea: Where are those people going?
Nana: They are going up for communion. Like we do at our church–to have some bread and wine.
Greenlea: Why aren’t we going up?
Nana: Because we’re not catholic.
Greenlea: Oh, Nana, I would give anything to be a catholic so I could get some of that food.
Bill & Tina 