Usually, as I sit to write this email, the ground outside is covered in snow. This year so far everything is still green outside. 2025 was a long one. They can't all go smoothly, but despite the ups and downs, we made it through with a few laughs on the way.
Christmas Day 2024 was snowy, and it was so fun to get the whole family up on the hill together. As usual, we skied a few laps and had a great breakfast burrito on Blackcomb.
G is now in fourth year at Queens. All being well, he will graduate in June. He plans to work for a while after graduation, then head off travelling. He turned 21 this year and has really matured during his university journey. We are so proud of him and are looking forward to seeing what the next chapters hold for him. J is in the second year at Western and working hard.
C and I went skiing on New Year's Day, which we have done for years. Something was wrong with my back. Sadly, that was the last day on snow for me last year. My back deteriorated pretty quickly, and by mid-January, I could barely move. I was able to get a CT scan, and they figured that some cartilage had separated from one of my discs and was blocking a nerve. In April, they gave me an epidural to ease the pressure on the nerve, and things started to get better, ready for summer. C and I had a trip to the UK planned, which I had to cancel, but C went anyway, and it sounds like she had a fantastic time in London.
I was supposed to retire in January but fumbled the ball somewhat. Work was one of the few things I could do without pain, so I stuck with it until mid-July when I finally hung it up. Carol, on the flip side, has been busier than ever; lots of things are going on in her work world, and she seems to be doing her hours and mine, too but is still having fun which is the most important thing.
We opened the Cabin a little later this year. The Cabin is physically demanding, particularly during the opening phase, with lots of carrying and manual labour which made it a little trickier. We had a plan to build a new deck, and I was going to do the work as I had all that time on my hands but that plan got parked again 5 or 6 years in a row now.
The boys were back from School in April. Both had jobs for the summer, which also left some time for weekends at the lake. We had several family weekends, some weekends with the boys' friends, which are always a little frenetic, as well as some weekends for our friends. The weather was very cooperative this year; it was hot but not scorching, and it rained enough to ease our fears of a forest fire. Midsummer, C and I spent 10 days at the lake. I have never spent that long up there, and honestly, it was terrific. Lazy hot days doing some chores and relaxing, and it was so quiet.
We closed the Cabin at the end of August. We had planned to keep it open into September, but I was scheduled for a spinal operation in early September, and we thought it better to get it closed, as we did not know how my mobility would be. Healing has been a slow process but progress is being made.
In November, C and I headed to Hawaii for a 10-day break. The last time we had been there was 11 years ago with the boys. We spent the time walking on beaches and hanging out in the sunshine. C was able to recharge her batteries after what has been a really crazy year work-wise.
This was not the year we had planned, but you play the hand you are dealt, and despite the negatives, there was still plenty of time for family and laughter. We have so much to be thankful for. In the next couple of weeks, the boys will come home for the holidays. Given how far away they live, just spending time together is fantastic. All being well, we will be heading up the hill to ski on Christmas morning. J has a bad back, which is very similar to what I had, so we may have to play that by ear.
We hope this has been an excellent year for you and yours, that all your hopes and dreams have come true, and that 2026 will be everything you wish for. If you find yourselves anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, let us know; we would love to reconnect.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
D, C, G, J and Willow the dog