This picture of us sitting in an airport again reminds me that 2018 was a banner year for us in terms of traveling. We took three major trips, including two out of the country. We continued to experience interesting places and events in New England. We dropped down to New York for some more Broadway shows. And, I went on another field trip to D.C. As I look back over the year, I feel blessed. Janet and I are very fortunate to have good health and resources to do these things. However, the thing we’re most blessed with is our families. This holiday season we were especially blessed to be with family both here, and in Kansas City.

At Thanksgiving, Janet and I hosted all our children, children-in-law, and grandchildren for a four-day holiday get together. Our apartment was a buzz with activity from Wii bowling to a girls coloring table. I even took Elizabeth to my office to see my Mr. Potato Head collection.

On Thanksgiving Day, we all piled into the cars and made our way to Steve & Kim’s house for the largest ever Sheppard family celebration. This was the first time for everyone to meet Amelia. Lilee and Elizabeth took to each other like sisters. It was a wonderful time. We spent another day and a half just enjoying each other’s company. Much too soon, the time came for everyone to leave, and we packed both families on their respective planes to New Jersey and Missouri.

Closer to Christmas, the Sheppard family, minus our children, once again reunited for our annual Dancy hosted Christmas brunch and gift exchange. Our apartment is too small for everyone to eat, so we go to Crackerbarrel for breakfast, and then back to our apartment for the exchange. Since we live halfway between the farthest homes it makes for a centralized meeting place. The Sheppards enjoy being together. These past five years have been the first time in over thirty years the family has lived close enough for this to happen. I’m so happy we can make this happen for Jim and June!

On Christmas Day, Janet & I flew to Kansas City to be with the Dancys for the remainder of the week. Autumn and Jim joined our family gift exchange via FaceTime.

Our big adventures included tea parties with the girls, taking my mother downtown to see the lights of the Plaza and Union Station, dinner out with my brother and his wife, and getting together with old theatre friends.

In 2005, Janet and I bought a house in Kansas City. In many ways, it was our dream house. We equipped it with everything we thought we would like in a home, not only for us, but for our children. At the time, we hoped our children would see it as a place they could always come home to, a sort of nest. We changed all that in 2013-2014, and now the nest is not a place, but people. We are that nest. We moved to the east coast to be near Autumn and Jim to provide support and encouragement. Now we fly back to the mid-west to do the same for Erik, Amanda, and the girls. We’ve become closer to our Sheppard family, while still maintaining a close relationship with our Dancy family. I love the thought of knowing if they need us, we are there.  Some days I miss the house, but I’m so glad we took the nest with us.

As I reflect over this holiday season, I am blessed to be a part of such a great family who loves to see and be a part of all these many adventures. We have loved 2018, and are truly looking forward to what 2019 will bring our way!

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller