What a difference a year makes!
Our annual holiday missive is late this year because several of our adventures were under the radar until just recently. Here’s a quick recap of what will go down as a pivotal year for the WestermaNation.
The most wonderful experience was Shelby’s wedding. In November, She and Mike Brethour certified their partnership in an exquisite event in Jacksonville. Like Brandon’s union with Stephanie, it was a moment that was absolutely perfect in every way. Brandon was Mike’s best man and his wife, Stephanie was the maid of honor. Shelby’s favorite high school teacher officiated at the ceremony and Gracie, Shelb’s puppy, was a full participant. It was wonderful to see so many of our friends and family, too, including Colleen’s father, who took his first airplane ride in many years to be present. We’re delighted to connect with the Brethour family, just as we have thoroughly enjoyed the Vutera clan.
The 4th quarter was where the action was. At the end of October, Scott concluded his Comcast assignment in Albuquerque and as Christmas approached, he was in final negotiations to become the next Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Executive Director of the Michigan State University Alumni Association. It’s truly his dream gig and will take us home, closer to our parents and to many of our favorite people. Scott is off to the Alamo Bowl on January 2nd to begin his new job and we hope to be ensconsed in the Great Lake State by February.
Most importantly, we received a final gift from Colleen’s late sister Anita. As many of you know, we lost Anita to Ovarian Cancer four years ago. Since then Colleen has been ultra vigilant and decided to proactively have a hysterectomy after Shelby’s wedding. We are glad she did, because they found one, small malignancy in the right ovary, Stage One and fully treatable. We have excellent oncologists who are using the word “cure” and not “remission”, and after a 6 visit chemotherapy course, they expect her to be cancer free by April.
These three events are the highlights of the year and as 2010 approaches, we’re feeling richly blessed and particularly grateful for the support systems we enjoy and the positive attitude we have toward the adventures ahead.
We won’t have a permanent street address for awhile yet and will send a separate note when we’ve put down some roots in the East Lansing area. Until then, you can follow us on-line at www.westermanway.com or email cywesterman@gmail.com / scott.westerman@gmail.com.