HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Dear Loved Ones
What sort of end-of-year message would you expect from a new-age Buddhist and lapsed Jew who got married on the beach?
Answer: “Deep inside you are ten thousand flowers with ten thousand petals that blossom ten thousand times. You might want to see a specialist.”
Our life of living, loving and laughing has continued this year with much to be grateful for. We celebrated the border opening with a trip to Paris to sample the fine food, museums, and fashion, dining with Johanna’s extended family and John’s French-speaking speaker friends.
Israel
From Paris, Johanna was happy to take a heavily policed COVID yet precious side trip to Israel to stay with her family. At the same time, John headed home to MC the 20th Anniversary of Queensland's Business Mentoring for Growth program at Parliament House.
With the borders open, we could see David in Bryon Bay more regularly and visit Melbourne twice to catch up with Claire, Valentino and Sean.
Diana
John spent some adventurous and mountainous time with Diana in Tasmania,
Philippa
Then restaurant exploring with Philippa in Ararat.
Alison
And excitedly cheered Alison onto Gold and Silver medals at the Australian Masters Cycling Championships.
Lachie
This year Johanna joined a women's book club. So once a month, she enjoyed sharing her reflections with others over wine and cheese. The three titles she liked most were, Born of No Woman, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and Where the Crawdads Sing.
John took a break from playing Master's Basketball this year to support Lachlan's climb meteorically through the player ranks from Metro Div 2 to Metro Div 1 to U21 State League and now two successful trials in National League Div 1. Lachie moves into 3rd Year Health Science in 2023 and hopes to study and play college ball in Wisconsin this autumn.
Bec and Jack
We enjoyed our times with Jack and Rebecca in Wynnum with their two lovable rascals, Leo, the ridgeback/labrador and little Luna (tic), the cattle dog.
Leo and Luna
With Bec we often ate local seafood or pizzas courtesy of John's new skill at making authentic pizza dough - which Claire taught him how to make on her mid-year visit.
Valentino and Claire
Claire graduated with a Master of Teaching and now has a permanent School position teaching Mathematics and Drama. Valentino has been promoted to supervising air traffic controllers at the airport.
Sean
Also back in Melbourne, Sean graduated with a Bachelor of Fashion Design and will commence his honours year in 2023. David has recently moved to Melbourne and is having Christmas lunch with Claire & Valentino.
David
With four years of Byron Restaurant experience behind him, David is now looking to find a top Melbourne Restaurateur and Chef to artfully shadow and grow with.
Lauren
Lauren has worked hard this year as the Art Director for a large funeral home whilst producing and staring in several dazzling amateur stage mime and life-sized puppet performances – all of which we thoroughly enjoyed attending. She also had her first public art exhibition which went well. She's off to Europe next month for three months - bon voyage.
Happy Birthdays Dad
Rebecca became a Manager at KPMG this year (whilst often being asked to stand in as a Director) and completed the first year of her Masters in Psychology. With work, study, two naughty dogs and Jack as a supportive partner who loves doing home renos and going camping, she has a full life. Any fuller, and she may need a therapist ;-)
Bec kindly took me to lunch for my 59th Birthday and has booked tickets to The Corrs in Brisbane for my 60th!
Lemonade
The pandemic killed my speaking business. Thankfully Johanna's Dietitian role enjoyed essential worker status.
So, in the end, I took my own strategy advice. "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
I wrote two books during the pandemic, and the third one is on the way, just in time for the big stages that will open again in 2023.
Relaxing Escape
In late November, we escaped to picturesque Bellingen to relax in the mountain streams and along the country roads.
Johanna shared that it was her most relaxing holiday ever. I must have done something right!
Happy 90th Dad
Our next trip is to Melbourne to celebrate Dad's 90th Birthday and catch up with three of our beloved children who now live south of the border.
Happy Holidays
We wish you, our family and our special friends a happy holiday and all the best for 2023!
Sending love
Johanna and John
