Aloha
Menehunes and Mele Kalikimaka,
Another
year in the Islands. Vic turned 65 hoping to get older and Mary turned 59 hoping
to convert that to 40-something. The biathlons, ocean races, power lifting, mountain
climbing and flying kept things humming for Vic.
Grandson Johannes (aka
"JJ", "Jon" and "Nino") kept things humming for
Vic and Mary (aka "Nonna") which is Italian for "grandmother".
Mary has got a BAD case of grandmother fever.
The athletic opportunities
here really are amazing. It's a combination of weather and attitude. Folks out
here, both young and old, enjoy huffin' and puffin' and the socialization that
goes with it. Each event seems like a great big party. Vic did 3 out of the 4
North Shore swimming races (foot surgery knocked him out of the 2K race), 3 biathlons
and the Fort Shafter bench press competition. Lady Luck gave him the bronze in
the Marine Biathlon (500 meter swim and 5 K run) and top dog bragging rights for
the bench with 200 pounds. Both were age group awards ... don't ask !!!
School
continues to treat us both well. Vic is getting paid to teach history, geography,
aerodynamics, weather and navigation AND he's getting paid to hike, camp, climb,
fly and ..... organize and execute parties ..... sort of like being a Defense
Attache with accreditation to the teenaged community. Working with high school
students is a guaranteed 100% sure fire way to stay active and prevent boredom.
There is always SOMETHING to keep life interesting. Mary continues to teach Kindergarteners
and 1st graders how to speak English and loves it. Great boss, great kids and
a great educational mission.
Lots of separation this year. Mary's Mom
and Dad celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and Mary was on board to do
the honors. Unfortunately, her Dad passed away shortly after the celebration so
we went back for the funeral and Mary stayed for another two months to look after
her Mom who was doing poorly. Mary's presence was a real shot in the arm for her
Mom who bounced back from some serious medical problems. Lots of visits by brothers
and sisters during Mary's hospice tour.
Grandson Johannes constantly operates
at 110%. We're just sorry that we can't put a video into a Christmas card (although
we suspect that technology is coming and may already be here, but we're just too
slow to figure it out). Johannes is the most charming, handsome, energetic, intelligent,
friendly and dynamic grandchild who has ever been invented ..... but don't all
grandparents think that way. Mama Sarah and Dad Jacques are doing all the right
things to stimulate and motivate this 20 month old magneto including beach time,
boat trips, Elmo and his own kid car plus other stimuli and the results are quite
amazing. He's talking and interacting with every machine (and person) he can find.
He's already learned how to use the cellular phone and even replaced the screen
saver on Mary's cel phone without her knowing about it !!!! We're hoping to see
Sarah, Jacques and Johannes on our Island soon.
Nathan and Sundi are making
tentative plans to come out over Christmas and we're hoping to be able to show
them more of our Island and, perhaps a shot at Molokai and Lanai. The North Shore
of Molokai has the highest sea cliffs in the world .... sea level straight up
to 5,000 feet with lots of waterfalls during the rainy season which is now. The
North Shore is also the home of the Kalaupapa settlement where Father Damien (now
Saint Damien) did such wonderful work with the lepers during the bad old days
of medical ignorance. Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is now controllable and treatable
thanks to medical advances. Whales should be coming back soon, so there's another
attraction. It's not unusual to see 200 whales a day in the channel between Maui,
Lanai and Molokai. The whales like the protection that these three islands give
them from otherwise rough seas.
Best wishes to all for a holy and happy
Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year
Love,
Vic
and Mary
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