This year will be remembered as one of loss. Don, Wanda and Dianna were all widowed within three months of each other. Betty had been living in a group home for three years and had been in and out of the hospital during that time. Still, it took us by surprise when the doctors told Don that she would not be able to overcome her kidney failure and recommended hospice. Betty, being the fighter she was, held on longer than expected, but finally slipped away in the early morning hours of June 16.
We were shocked to receive the news of Wanda’s husband’s passing from a heart attack on August 24. I have always considered Wanda to be my sister-in-love, even though she and Don were divorced decades ago, so my heart broke hard for her grief and loss.
Richard has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for about ten years, and would occasionally go through challenges with his condition, but always seemed to battle back with new and additional treatments. But this past summer, he just couldn’t seem to rebound like he usually did. I think he really began to recognize the end was near, because he talked more and more to us family members about taking care of Dianna. We all came to accept that his battle had come to an end, and with his entire family gathered around his hospital bed, we bid him farewell on September 11.
Our girl Lauren gave us a bad scare in early October when she had a massive seizure and ended up in the hospital for several days. But she, and God, knew we couldn’t handle more sorrow upon sorrow, and she recovered and made it home. Every birthday she passes reminds us that she was only supposed to live about 14 years, but she turned 24 in November, amazing us all once again.
There were some high points this year. I took a Mediterranean cruise in May with Brian, Carrie and Nathan. We hit 11 ports in two weeks, and had a spectacular time. Dale more than paid me back for nursing him during his knee surgery by coming to Mesa and taking care of my house and Hanna while I was overseas.
I joined Dale camping in northern Arizona in July & August. We stayed close to Payson instead of wandering up to the White Mountains because of Richard’s declining health, and we wanted to be closer to home in case things took a turn. Unfortunately, that happened, and we headed back to the Valley at the end of the summer.
L.I.F.E. expanded their facility this year by adding new space for classrooms and the adult program. It still amazes me how much impact this has brought to the special needs community in the Valley.
I took a solo trip to Disneyland in December. Karen and Damon were camping with Dale in Quartzsite, and I dropped Hanna off with them on my way through. I stopped at their camp on my way back home, and spent a couple hours chatting and making plans to go out and camp with them in January.
Other than those few events, It was a quiet year. I didn’t make it up to Boise this year, but Robin and Ken did come down in October for Richard’s memorial service and again to attend the Fiesta Bowl at the end of December.
I’m looking forward to camping with Dale, Karen and Damon in January. We are expecting two additions to the Lafferty family in March when both of Daryl’s boys will have new babies. I hope to plan more travel and possibly some new upgrades to my home next year. Wishing you and yours a happy healthy new year.