This was the first time we’ve gathered as a family in ten years, the culpability for which falls squarely on Sam, who’s been in China since he graduated from college. But in December he managed to disentangle himself from his business in a way that allows him to manage it from a distance.
He and Julia will marry in February at a venue in Wharton, which is southwest of Houston. The wedding is pulling in guests from all over the globe, and promises to be a Gatsbian affair, with shimmery gowns hanging from elegant shoulders, crystal flutes held aloft by graceful hands, and self-possessed scions in tuxes. For now Sam is living in Boston, where Julia works for the Belfer Center; but they intend to move to the UK next fall, where Sam will earn his MBA at Cambridge.
Julia is, above all else, agreeable. She doesn’t stress over nonsense and she likes to keep her thoughts on an intellectual plane. She and Sam communicate and work well together; and she possesses admirable forbearance when it comes to the way he eternally ponders details. In addition to being beautiful and smart, she’s got a quick sense of humor, so David and I are very happy that she’ll soon be part of our family.
Also with us for the holidays, our oldest son, Curtis, and his wife, Anna, two hard-working lawyers in Houston. We love the way Anna helps plan meals and makes full use of our kitchen during her visits. Some women regard their kitchens with stingy ownership: not so, me. I view the space where the stove and refrigerator reside with a sense of gloom. I can put a meal together, but I have no patience or flair. I don’t mind that I’m an uninspired cook: I’m good at other things. Everyone needs a creative outlet and Anna’s is cooking. She truly enjoys it, which brings everybody around her joy as well.
And Curtis, well he’s one of the brightest and wittiest people I know. This past year he’s become active in politics. Currently, he’s the campaign treasurer for a high school friend of his, Leonard Chan, who’s running to be District 26’s Representative in Austin. Go Leonard! If you live in Sugar Land, this is your guy!
While Sam is at a point of exciting transition, there’s no denying that David is the busiest of all of us. He’s on the board of Habit for Humanity and also enjoys building the houses with the guys who’ve become his friends over the last couple of years. Though traditionally there has been an acrimonious relationship between the board and the labor, by simultaneously serving in both capacities David has brought about better communication between the two factions.
He is also on the vestry at the church. His job is to care for the buildings and property. When a toilet is clogged, he’s the one brandishing the plunger. When the blinds quit going up and down, he’s the one who climbs the ladder and changes the batteries. Without exaggeration, I would say that he’s had to stop by the church for one reason or another every day for the last year.
And here’s another thing: the community garden, run by another of his groups, the Master Gardeners, had to be relocated. And guess who was put in charge—you got it, David. Water storage and irrigation systems, electricity, trench digging, the construction of raised beds, permits from the city, and the assembly of a pole barn and shed—he oversaw it all. The preparation is over now and the gardeners will soon step in for the spring planting, thereby providing organically grown produce for the needy citizens of Burnet County. Good job, David!
As for me, while I’ve always been a contented soul no matter where I landed, Marble Falls is proving to be thorny. It seems to be populated by people who hate things for no reason and seek no knowledge in, or experience with, that which they’ve decided to hate. I guess because I’ve lived in other countries and have come to understand that there are different ways of going about things, it’s hard for me to tolerate close-mindedness. Here, I’m in the process of learning not to voice any opinion that offers a new concept or alternative view; but holding my tongue makes me feel insignificant and kind of sick.
Too, the small successes with my two novels have come and gone and there is no new publishing contract in sight. Over the last three years I have written the first four installments in a mystery series. My heroine is intriguing and loveable and my agent is enthusiastic, which for a time made me feel great about the work, but months have passed and I’ve begun to feel forgotten. She used to send me updates about publishers she was presenting to, but as it’s been so long, I can only assume that all the publishers have taken a pass. Oh well. The work continues—maybe someday another break will come.
So yeah, I’m going through a bit of a slump.
Which is why it was so wonderful to spend time with our sons over the holidays. We gathered around the fire pit on the back deck and shared stories and jokes and talked about all the adventures we’d had together and the plans for what’s to come. The wine flowed and we laughed a lot; and in the presence of my children I rested in a place where I could be the person I am, a serene and contemplative woman who’s proud to have once influenced such intelligent and gracious people.
Happy 2020
Meet Gaius, Sam and Julia’s cat, twice Dilly’s size.
This isn’t the greatest picture, bit it gives the general idea.
