July 13, 2016 A Letter That Might Have Been: The Retirement, Seeing the World and Other Leisurely Pursuits

Dear Mom and Dad,

Today is bright and beautiful and a special one as well because I have finished posting all of your letters to Grandmother and Grandad. As it turned out there were  1767   of them. I haven’t decided yet what to share  with readers about your lives after Grandmother died, but I’m working on it and just hope that they’re willing to come back for a few more days.

Dad, I sure wish that Grandmother B would have saved your letters. The other day I found one she had written to me in 1979 and it ended with “Tomorrow is Monday. I always look for a letter from B. All these years he hasn’t missed any Monday.” But then again, you wrote to her each week for 46 years and I 'm  not sure I could have typed that many  letters!

I do want people to know about your fun retirement years, beginning in 1980.  Didn't we have a grand celebration. You sure didn't waste any time getting to the beach, and who could blame you. Dad, you cranked up the stereo when everyone left and you said,  "I've got all the time in the world now!"  

I found your travel journal, Mom, and really got a kick out of it!  I’m so glad that you two had 25 more years to see the world. Those trips  could take an entire blog to describe.  We still haven't finished looking at your slides, Dad! 

Although you loved your travels, nothing seemed to give you both more pleasure than the grandkids and the addition of two more.

 You sure gave them some fantastic memories and when they were together,  you called it more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

There is one thing for certain that I want to share, and that’s about your ongoing passion for designing and making quilts , Mom.
 I don't think people will be the least bit surprised to learn that you quilted, presented and published your designs well into your 80s.

And I shouldn't forget your jewelry making since that hobby grew exponentially over  2 decades and produced some beautiful gifts for us all.

Well, the 1980s and 1990s were such good and  happy years in so many ways.  And Mom, I remember when you  said, "I think we'll go around again!" Dad, you laughed and said, "Not if you keep on shopping !"

 That’s about all I can think of for now, but I’ll write again when I decide what to share next.  This letter has come easily, but I'm uncertain of what to write about the  years to come.  You both always told me to "Take my time and think about it, then do it right and do it once."  That's good wisdom.

Hope you’re both fine.

Lots of love,

Ann