December was quite a month! Between work, company and Christmas, I’ve had no time to write. I apologize that this is so overdue.

I ended last year’s letter by saying that I didn’t think things would ever be the same. Little did I then know what the future held.

In January, Amy and David became engaged. We spent the next several months preparing for the wedding. Since mom made Amy’s dress and Amy made dresses for the Bridesmaids, it was quite an undertaking! It’s amazing how everything came together so beautifully...but more on that later.

During the spring I was able to travel quite a bit. In April I flew to TN to visit my friend Joy. While there, we were able to see The Phantom of the Opera. After the show, we had a chance to speak with Ted Keegan, who played the Phantom. He told us that all the performers, past and present, are sworn to secrecy over how they carry off the special effects. Too bad. They were amazing!

In May I traveled to Az to halp my aunt. On the way there I was able to stop in Tulsa for a few days to see Lauryl. It was great to get together again. Arizona was beautiful and warm, as always. I especially like the warm part.

Because of the wedding, we were not able to get to Knoxville this year. That gave Amy’s friends and me a chance to plan a bridal shower. Since Amy spent much of the spring tin Colorado with David’s family, we were able to make it a surprise!

In June we spent a week in Maine. It was sad to think that this would be our "last" trip as a family, but we all enjoyed a break from wedding plans and work. It was lovely - good friends, sunny beaches and shopping (not to mention trying to avoid tan lines that would show under our gowns!)

I’m still at the library, and summer was a busy time there, as well. I was in charge of several programs including story hour, literature workshops, book discussions and Art and Writing workshops. There wasn’t much spare time between that and my websites. I still work for the Jane Austen Centre (and am planning a trip there in July, 2002) as well as trying to keep up with Austentation. It’s been a great year for hats and I have met many new friends through my work in the Regency period.


July went far too quickly. Amy and David’s wedding took place on the 28th. (Check out the pictures, here!) Guests came from across the United States and Australia to wish them well. We were blessed to have so many friends able to attend and help out! The ceremony took place at the Trinity College Chapel. It was a gorgeous day, with no major mishaps. The groom did NOT faint, nor did the bridesmaids cry (much.) The cake did not topple, no one spilled punch on the flower girl and the bagpiper remembered to wear a slip. With all that going for them, they couldn’t help living happily ever after!


It did take us awhile to recover from the wedding. We miss Amy, but are happy for her too. Fortunately, I had a visit from Joy to look forward to. In August, Joy, Betsy and I took the train into New York to see the city, and more especially, "The Music Man". By chance, we actually got to meet Robert Sean Leonard (Much Ado about Nothing) who was playing Harold Hill. He was very gracious and, thanks to Betsy’s outgoing personality, we even got a backstage tour! What a day!

Peter has been very busy. He worked as a paralegal for most of the year, and is now hoping to be accepted into law school this spring. He continues to teach fencing in Hartford and has recently started a club here in Vernon. He has also been appointed treasurer for a local senate campaign.

Mary Jo keeps herself busy- and the rest of us on our toes! She is reading more than ever and loves learning. She is particularly fond of science- animals are a favorite topic right now- lemurs in particular. Go figure. She is most looking forward to being an Aunt in May.

That’s our biggest news this year. Amy and David made the announcement when they were out for Thanksgiving. Mary Jo was a little concerned. We had told her that if the baby was a girl she would be an aunt, but if it was a boy, Peter would be an uncle. She is determined that it will be a girl and was quite upset when people suggested that it might be a boy. I guess we should have explained things a little better

In September, the world, my world, changed forever. It sounds cliched by now, but it’s true. One of Peter’s favorite quotes is "I am invincible!" I guess I thought I was. That we, as a nation, were. I was wrong. Good has come about. Americans, split by politics almost exactly a year ago, have come together in unimaginable ways. We stand united as never before. One Nation, under God.

I still don’t know why God allowed it to happen. I do know that God is in charge- that He does have a plan for my life, if only I will trust Him with it. This is what He has been teaching me over the past few months.

First, that there is a purpose for my life- that God has planned things for me- good things. Secondly, that these plans may not line up with my plans. God knows us far better than we can ever know ourselves. He is the only one who can see the whole picture: our past, present AND future. How dare we think that we know what is best for us! No, we won’t always understand the why- God does not promise that. As Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path." A foot lamp doesn’t provide enough light to see the destination, it only shines bright enough to show you the next step. One step at a time.

What does God ask of us? "To do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) To Walk (not run ahead) Humbly (not anxious, trusting that God knows best.) With Your God (beside, in communion with your God. How personal is that? An exclusive relationship- you and God.) When God is OUR God, when He is the center of our world, then He vows "no good thing will he withold from [us]." There is peace only with God. Only in trusting His perfect will. I will not always understand- but I know who does.

Thanks to all of you for sticking by me this past year (and through this letter!) You have been true friends. It has not been an easy year for anyone- but we have made it through.
Together.

Thank you.

Laura