Hey Martha,
Thirty years? Whoa! But it hasn't been so long that we've forgotten those times together. They were some good times and good friendships. We are now living in Hendersonville, NC where we moved after I retired in December 2001. It's in the mountains of western North Carolina--beautiful and not nearly so hot as other parts of the state or farther south. Mary, especially, appreciates that. I've attached a photo of us that was taken earlier this year during a cruise to the Bahamas with several of the senior citizens from church (taken by the ship's photographer, thus the props -- but it's a good one of us).
We're enjoying our time here. One of the reasons we chose this part of the country is because it is about a day's drive from all three of our kids. When we were in Chelmsford, it was a 14-15 hour drive to Lynn's in Ohio and he was the closest. Now, he is about 6 1/2 hours away. Monya in Alabama (Huntsville area) is about the same. Lee is a bit farther -- about 10 hours to his home in Longwood (north of Orlando). But, we are still able to make that drive in one day (from Chelmsford it was about 24 hours driving). The climate is good, and we've found a good church. In fact, I am serving as one of three elders (had six but 3 have moved).
We have 11 grandchildren. Lynn has two children--a son and daughter, the boy just started college at Ohio Valley University in West Virginia. Lee has two boys. And Monya has seven--a daughter by birth and six sons by adoption. She and her husband Robert adopted two sets of brothers at the same time--which was unprecedented but finally approved by Social Services in Georgia (where they were living at the time). Both sets of boys had been in foster care and due to be adopted. But the adoptions fell through while Monya and Robert had them as foster children. It appeared that the boys would be separated from their brothers if placed in other foster homes. Monya and Robert said "no -- we'll adopt them all and keep them together." So, after several months of working out details, the adoption took place. The three younger boys have a Guatamalan mother -- fathers probably Mexican but no one knows for sure. They're all good kids, expecially considering some of the things we are aware they had to deal with over the years. We love them dearly. The little ones began calling us "Grandma" and "Grandad" soon after being taken in as foster children. Now, of course, its official. The older boys took a bit longer, even referring to Monya and Robert as mom and dad. The eldest just graduated from high school at age 19, but does not want to go to college. He has a job with a swimming pool company but that season will soon end, so we aren't sure what he will do after that. He doesn't seem to know either. Has a hard time makiing decisions, probably because he was not allowed in other foster homes or was overridden. Anyhow, Monya and Robert work with him as best they can to encourage and advise. The daughter is the youngest but already going into the second grade! Her name is Gabrielle, but shortened to Gabby. The name fits. She's a sweetheart.
I've been learning how to turn wood on an old wood lathe I've had for years -- had it even in Chelmsford but didn't use it there because I didn't know how. But it has been something I've always wanted to learn. So, now is the time. Also do other woodworking, and (sometimes) my photography. Mary loves Sudoku and plays Bridge once or twice a month. Occasionally, we both take a drive together just to see some the country around here. Life is good. God has truly blessed us in so very many ways.
Guess that's enough for now. I need to get ready for bed anyhow. It's late and I still need to quickly review my class lesson for tomorrow (I'm teaching the adult auditorium class) Great to hear from you.
Thirty years? Whoa! But it hasn't been so long that we've forgotten those times together. They were some good times and good friendships. We are now living in Hendersonville, NC where we moved after I retired in December 2001. It's in the mountains of western North Carolina--beautiful and not nearly so hot as other parts of the state or farther south. Mary, especially, appreciates that. I've attached a photo of us that was taken earlier this year during a cruise to the Bahamas with several of the senior citizens from church (taken by the ship's photographer, thus the props -- but it's a good one of us).
We're enjoying our time here. One of the reasons we chose this part of the country is because it is about a day's drive from all three of our kids. When we were in Chelmsford, it was a 14-15 hour drive to Lynn's in Ohio and he was the closest. Now, he is about 6 1/2 hours away. Monya in Alabama (Huntsville area) is about the same. Lee is a bit farther -- about 10 hours to his home in Longwood (north of Orlando). But, we are still able to make that drive in one day (from Chelmsford it was about 24 hours driving). The climate is good, and we've found a good church. In fact, I am serving as one of three elders (had six but 3 have moved).
We have 11 grandchildren. Lynn has two children--a son and daughter, the boy just started college at Ohio Valley University in West Virginia. Lee has two boys. And Monya has seven--a daughter by birth and six sons by adoption. She and her husband Robert adopted two sets of brothers at the same time--which was unprecedented but finally approved by Social Services in Georgia (where they were living at the time). Both sets of boys had been in foster care and due to be adopted. But the adoptions fell through while Monya and Robert had them as foster children. It appeared that the boys would be separated from their brothers if placed in other foster homes. Monya and Robert said "no -- we'll adopt them all and keep them together." So, after several months of working out details, the adoption took place. The three younger boys have a Guatamalan mother -- fathers probably Mexican but no one knows for sure. They're all good kids, expecially considering some of the things we are aware they had to deal with over the years. We love them dearly. The little ones began calling us "Grandma" and "Grandad" soon after being taken in as foster children. Now, of course, its official. The older boys took a bit longer, even referring to Monya and Robert as mom and dad. The eldest just graduated from high school at age 19, but does not want to go to college. He has a job with a swimming pool company but that season will soon end, so we aren't sure what he will do after that. He doesn't seem to know either. Has a hard time makiing decisions, probably because he was not allowed in other foster homes or was overridden. Anyhow, Monya and Robert work with him as best they can to encourage and advise. The daughter is the youngest but already going into the second grade! Her name is Gabrielle, but shortened to Gabby. The name fits. She's a sweetheart.
I've been learning how to turn wood on an old wood lathe I've had for years -- had it even in Chelmsford but didn't use it there because I didn't know how. But it has been something I've always wanted to learn. So, now is the time. Also do other woodworking, and (sometimes) my photography. Mary loves Sudoku and plays Bridge once or twice a month. Occasionally, we both take a drive together just to see some the country around here. Life is good. God has truly blessed us in so very many ways.
Guess that's enough for now. I need to get ready for bed anyhow. It's late and I still need to quickly review my class lesson for tomorrow (I'm teaching the adult auditorium class) Great to hear from you.
God bless.
Lloyd (and Mary)
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