2004
Looking back over the past year, we have so much to be thankful for. It has been a mixed year of anxiety and relief with treatment for Mike continuing until April and more surgery in June. Then we had a scare at the end of July which turned out to be nothing but necessitated a urgent trip to Miami. We have definitely been blessed this year.
We have both worked hard this year, though I would have liked to have done more. I have developed some more websites and honed my skills in the area of graphic design. But I am always eager to work and to learn more. Mike has been able to work officially half days, but very often full days, throughout the year, returning soon after we came back to the Bahamas at the beginning of January. We were so relieved to be back in the sun and with close proximity to doctors and hospital. Of course, the down side was that we miss the support of our children and family, especially in the UK.
Sadly, in February, Mike's mother died after a fall and he was unable to attend the funeral. However, he kept in close contact with his siblings, two of whom also could not make the trip, and this helped to bond the ties between brothers and sisters.
In June, Mike's brother Alan and his wife April visited and we had a wonderful week of just sitting, chatting and eating and spending precious time together.
In September, Hurricane Frances roared through New Providence, tearing down power lines, uprooting trees and totally eroding some of the shoreline. I admire the emergency services who were able to restore utilities within a short space of time. They did a great job. We had in fact five weekends straight when we were either expecting a hurricane or experiencing the effects of one. It was a stressful time and there are many people on other islands, for whom life has still not returned to normal.
It was amazing here though to see trees and plants bereft of all foliage and apparently dead, spring into life a few days after the storm had passed. It reminded me of Spring in England.
We have not been able to visit our children or grandchild this year but have been in constant communication, made easier by email. This way we have been able to watch the rapid development of Siena by way of photos and videos, which bring us such joy. I have also been able to keep in touch on a daily basis with my sister and we often talk about the fact that in years gone by, without the wonder of the internet, we would not have been able to do so.
As Christmas now approaches, I remember this time last year, when Mike was admitted to hospital three times in the UK and came home just two days before Christmas. He could not eat anything except soup so I am looking forward to cooking all his favourite meals this time around.
I do not think too much of what the future will bring....how can we know? Mike has to be tested every three months and the days and weeks preceding these tests generate much anxiety. The relief after though is indescribable.
I pray all my family and friends have a wonderful Christmas and a great 2005....filled with health and happiness.
