Christmas - 2011

During this year, we have become mini-economists who try desperately to understand the complex financial problems affecting our world. No longer is it enough to understand what is going on in this nation, we have to be conversant with the issues impacting other nations. It has been quite a year!  On more pedestrian matters, our family continues to do well.  We feel somewhat embarrassed by the good fortune of a healthy and productive family.

Sara and Nien-he continue to research activities with some clinical responsibilities for Sara. Nien-he is having a productive year at Harvard Business School as a visiting professor and surely enjoys the shorter commute, even if it will end in June. Mika and Emi provide both challenges and entertainment as they grow and develop.  We wish only that we could give as much of our time to our other grandchildren who live at such a distance.

Sean and Jane continue to do well in New Orleans.  Their new house has been a most welcome addition, albeit more work. Edward was able to spend a week watching Sean prosecute a bona-fide criminal of the first order. It was a fantastic experience to watch him as the lead prosecutor duel with a fantastic defense attorney in a four-day trial that even the judge commented as emotional and challenging. Jane has been more than busy trying to comply with very rigorous requirements established for teachers. The documentation is humongous and questionably making a difference. Joseph is thriving in kindergarten  (best charter school system in New Orleans) and Eve is in a pre-school program taught in French. It is the first time that they have gone to separate schools.

Neal and Brooke thrive in New York City. While it is difficult to understand exactly what Neal is doing (provides legal documents for derivatives), it is keeping him at the law office many  hours. Brooke could not be busier. She is establishing an aftercare program focusing on foreign languages in several schools while caring for Nora and nourishing what hopefully will be our sixth grandchild by Christmas! Nora cannot wait to share her love for the baby.

In addition to being a wonderful grandmother, Joan has been very involved in the care of her friend with brain cancer. She is her health-care proxy and has been involved in her medical care as well as contributing to her ongoing care. Edward’s life remains the same. Daily Yoga, running, bicycling, and swimming plus reading are complemented at times by his activities as a hospice volunteer. Facebook has been an amazing addition to his life.

A review of our year would not be complete without a word about Franklin who died rather quickly in June. He was an awesome friend who loved everyone.  Having a dog was so important that we rather quickly got a new friend, Patrick (born on St. Patrick’s Day). It has been a while since we got a puppy. He has quickly become all that we could hope for (in spite of the problems associated with being a puppy!).