...the lord is on your side. Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; leave to your God to order and provide; in every change God faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: your best, your heavenly friend through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

The words to this lovely hymn have been a comfort and inspiration this year, as we have had quite a stressful 1998. It began around the holidays last year, when Anna's dad, Ted Short, was diagnosed as being in the end stages of congestive heart failure, a condition he'd been living with for eight or nine years. The family rallied around, spending as much time with him as they could, and finding strength and solace in each other. Among the children living in town, it was decided that Anna had the most time and availability to help, as needed, in getting Ted the care he needed and seeing to the paperwork involved. She willingly took on this task, treasuring the time it allowed her to know her dad as a person, as well as a father. Plans for finishing his life were frankly discussed, giving Anna a glimpse into the strength of his faith and his confidence in God.

Ted's journey home was completed on August 15th, in a room he shared with his wife Mary, at Tacoma Lutheran Home. Anna was given the gift she'd asked of God in being able to be with him at the moment of his death. It was indeed a peaceful one, leaving Anna with a renewed faith in God's love. The timing of Ted's death allowed for his niece, Ann Short Chirhart, and her husband Ken to come for the memorial service before Ann's teaching duties required her presence at the university.

Other changes in our lives this year have also affected Anna's routine, as her job in the bookstore ended due to the closing of the Crown Books stores in Washington. Again, God's timing was good, since Anna needed the time at home to settle her father's matters and see to her mother's needs. Mary has had a rough time since Ted's death, with a pressure ulcer growing worse and requiring hospitalization and surgery to combat. At the moment, things are looking better for her, with a successful surgery to repair the wound completed and anticipation of returning to the Lutheran Home before Christmas.

Of course, while the events surrounding Anna's parents have been absorbing, they are not the only things we have going on in our lives. Bowling continues to be a strong factor, keeping Monday nights "sacred". Anna has been inspired to write poetry again, even presenting a poem she wrote for Ted's birthday at his memorial service. Doug has continued with basement remodeling tasks, putting down a new ceramic tile floor in the main room of the basement. Plans to remodel the kitchen are still "brewing" in our minds, waiting for time, money and energy to converge. Family celebrations have marked the year, with birthday parties and gatherings for anniversaries and the usual holidays. A high point was the 80th birthday celebration for Jean Hanson, Doug's mom, in November. Also, Anna has been bitten by the genealogy bug, finding time to do a lot of her research online, and exulting when she has a "hit". She found a link to ancestors dating back to the Revolutionary War! Another cool development was finding a book written by her great-aunt, Henriqueta Ginsburg Chamberlain, telling of her growing up in Brazil. We still sing with the choir in our church; in fact, Doug comprises the complete tenor section! Anna is still chairperson of the Nurture committee, and filled in for the Administrative Council chairperson for much of this year. Doug is continuing as Finance Secretary, and has recently consented to be the chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee.

Doug has been seeing the world with new eyes lately: well, actually the same eyes he's had, but modified with laser surgery to improve his vision from 20/300-400 before, to a current 20/20 and 20/15. Anna is still trying to get used to seeing him without his glasses, while he rejoices to be able to read a clock at night without needing them!

In closing, we wish all of you to feel the truth of these words, as you celebrate this holy time with your family:

"Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief and fear are gone; sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last!"

God Bless All of You!