THE LOWE FAMILY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 89 JANUARY 2014

Dear Readers,

In 2013 we experienced the highs and lows of the life cycle, with the birth of Ava Claire and the death of Norm. Christmas was a challenge this year, I truly missed Norm's predictable, frequently asked questions through-out the season: the usual - “Who is going to be here?” “Are you sure you have enough food?” “Did you get a present for everybody?” And the dire warnings that I was going to wear myself out if I didn't take it easy! That meant it was time for me to sit down with him, enjoy a cup of tea and either look through an old photo album or read a newsletter from years ago. As soon as I finished one he would say “ next”and I'd still be reading an hour later. Knowing that he had so hoped to see Ava Claire's first Christmas made the holidays difficult this year. Next year will be much easier I hope.

I did do some decorating but didn't bother with the tree. Christmas was very quiet this year with just Josh, Coryn, Jeremy, Ava Claire and myself. Ming, Lori, Blake and Claudia spent the week with Leslee-Ann and Craig in Orlando, Kay went back to Washington DC to be with her parents, Marc and Bryn got together in San Francisco and Sean celebrated somewhere on the other side of the world. I did get Facetime with all the kids so that was great.

I received a very special present from my children this year. On Christmas morning Coryn handed me a gift box box from all my children. Inside was a packet of tea, a Broadway CD, and two packages of peanuts. I was bewildered but gushed enthusiastically about the contents. Coryn told me to think about each item and what it could mean. I put it together and realized the peanuts stood for an airplane ride, the CD for a Broadway show and the tea for afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria. My children were taking me to New York to live out their father's dream. For many years he had hoped to be able to take me to New York , specifically to enjoy afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria and a Broadway show or two - which he had greatly enjoyed doing in his younger years when he lived there. He always hoped that he would be up to traveling again and kept a folder with all his plans for our trip but of course his health never allowed it. The loveliest part of all is that Coryn told him, shortly before he died, but when he was still able to understand, that his children would fulfill his dream for him: a special secret she shared with her beloved father. We were both in tears. So far Ming Lee, Lori, Blake and Claudia ; Leslee and Craig; Coryn, Jeremy and Ava Claire will be there for sure with Marc and Bryn possibly too. Josh and Sean will be out of the country.

Marc Andrew sent me the most entertaining gift I think I have ever received: a solar powered rainbow maker which showers my upstairs family room in gaudy dancing rainbows for a couple of hours on sunny days. It adheres to my window with a suction cup: it's solar panel, brightly colored plastic gears and dangling prism do nothing for my rustic country décor. I just hope that it will serve some purpose as a deterrent for would be burglars who will hopefully think it a new fangled alarm system. The cats and Ava Claire lost interest in trying to catch the dancing rainbows fairly soon. I mentioned to Coryn that it was a good thing that Marc hadn't sent it when your dad was here as I was sure he would be seizing constantly but she said he'd probably just remark on the beautiful colors and exclaim that Marc had sent such a thoughtful gift! I can only wish that there is a pot of gold for me at the end of the rainbow, maybe in the hills of LA with Marc? I'm sure the suction cup will lose it's grip on my window soon.

I dropped Josh and his friend off at the airport on New Years Eve for their planned trip to Thailand where they would meet up with Sean and volunteer at an Elephant park. Three weeks later I picked him up. He moved himself and a lot of stuff in shortly before Christmas announcing that it was pointless to continue to pay rent as he was going to be traveling again for a few months. Thus he arrived in the middle of December with a lot of stuff that it is now stored all over my house along with some of Bryn and Sean's things too. I still have the girls wedding dresses hanging in one of my closets!

I have had a great deal of trouble getting on my laptop computer to put this letter together as Josh commandeers it for hours – why I have no idea as he has his own but he obviously prefers mine for some reason and I know better than to ask Josh anything when he is still sleep deprived from his trip. I don't have writing programs on my Ipad or Notebook so there is no alternative but to patiently wait for Josh to either leave the house for the gym or to use my kitchen - leaving it in such a state that you'd think the Cat in the Hat had been in it. My “roomie” as I like to call him – a term he doesn't find endearing - is very messy! Norm use to watch Fox News all day while Josh sits in front of ESPN and I try in vain as always to drown out the television with my classical music.

Josh has put his handyman skills to work for me though, he installed a new faucet in the downstairs bathroom for me as I couldn't get the old one to stop leaking. It took him less than an hour and cost thirty dollars. Marc recently informed me that he had payed a plumber to replace his for seven hundred dollars! Of course he only got one bid and didn't think to watch a free DIY video on how he might tackle it himself. Too bad he didn't have the guy completely gut his bathroom first because his old blue sink does not merit a pricey faucet!Marc has been ripped of again, that's why he needs his mother to live with him: protection from his gullibility!

Ava Claire loves the nursery song about the little short and stout teapot, not because she resembles one I'm sure but because she loves a cup of English style tea with milk and sugar. She drained my tea cup the other day and Coryn said the tea seemed to have given her a real lift as she was in a great mood all afternoon. Of course the lasagna, yogurt and cookies probably helped too! I have never seen a baby so young eat so much, and she will eat almost anything with gusto! When we eat out we order her an adult sized portion of mashed potatoes, cheesy grits or soup as she likes to start eating as soon as possible and she will eat every last bite and then expect us to share whatever we ordered. She will eat any kind of meat,( including venison) and enjoys fish too. She always has room for dessert ! She ate an entire piece of red velvet cake with strawberries and cream and would probably have eaten more if allowed. She is certainly a full figured gal! Grandma took some new measurements after discovering that her Christmas jacket was too tight and short last month.

I have been working my way through the mountain of paperwork that your dad's death has caused and the endless phone calls which all seem to use an automated system. The funniest was the guy who listened to my explanation as to why an asset needed to be switched to my name only and then told me that my husband would have to sign off on the change. He was mortified when I replied that since he was permanently signed off he couldn't sign anything anymore! He apologized profusely for not having paid closer attention to my request. I have to confess that when I find myself on hold for prolonged amounts of time I mutter that if Norm wasn't already dead I'd probably kill him as he seems to have never filled out the appropriate paperwork! But so far I have managed to work things out without paying a lawyer – despite Marc's advice!

I'm hoping to paint a lot of the damaged woodwork inside the house this spring as Norm's wheelchair definitely took a toll on the paint and stain. This house was not designed for wheelchair accessibility. I was happy to have Ming-Lee put my bathroom door back on after years of an open door policy when pooping and peeing.

I am still adjusting to my new found freedom, catching my self dashing around a store anxious to be home for Norm, then realizing that I can spend all day out of the house if I wish. I enjoyed being able to help Kay with her first grade class and their Christmas party, they all called me Grandma Lowe. One bright little boy asked me when I was born so I told him 1952 and a few minutes later he came back with a big grin and told me he knew how old I was- sixty-one! I was amazed that he had the math skills to count so high, I was hoping he'd take a guess and subtract a few years but at least he didn't shout it out to all his classmates!I am going back to help with Valentines Day as I love coming up with craft ideas. Takes me back to my teaching years.

Lori and her mother sent me a very generous gift card which I used along with another gift card from Leslee, Bryn and Sean to purchase some new bedding for my room. I was able to find something I really liked in a much lighter color, that matched my headboard and wall paint. So many thanks to you all for your thoughtfulness and kindness.

Now that I am free to travel, well as long as I can find someone to take care of the cats, who knows when I may decide to pay one of my lucky children an extended visit? I do like to give you all something to look forward to, love from your only for the moment aging in place Mother.