Living R Lives Together

Wilson Newsletter 2013 Merry Christmas

(Special Thanks to Amber Smith of Amber Leigh Photography for her amazing photos!)

As we look back over the year in preparation for writing this letter, 2013 we once again are reminded how much we are truly blessed.

We continue cheering and jeering the Phillies and Eagles; enjoy the University of Delaware football games as season ticket holders; as well as shows offered by the DuPont Theatre and Delaware Theater Company where Jim is a Board member (imagine that-all of you that know how artsy Jim is!).

Numerous trips to the beach were enjoyed this year as well as our annual trip to Florida. Our family spent a week together at an adorable cottage within walking distance of Kneobels Grove amusement park in early summer, and a week in the Outer Banks at Nags Head in the fall. We also made local day trips to several places like Longwood Gardens, including their fireworks display, and The Delaware Children's Museum, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia.

Tina, mom and Megan spent a weekend in NYC taking in the sights as well as seeing The Phantom of the Opera live on Broadway, which was a first for both Mom and Megan! Matt and Jim spent the same weekend taking in a Penn State football game (first time for Jim).

Our grandson, Jackson’s birthday was on October 10^th and we celebrated with family and friends as his parents threw a great party for this special 3-year old! What joy this little “man” brings to our lives. His party was Fire Truck themed and Jackson and his “guests” enjoyed a private visit by the local fire company. We also had our traditional family party at Mimi and Grumps’ house and the 3-year-old wanted to “make-your-own-pizzas”. It was a successful and fun evening.

The fall brought opportunities for us to “give back” a bit to a few causes we support. A first for Jim and Megan was their participation with the Wilmington University Team for the “Bike to the Bay for MS" - a 75-mile, one day bike ride! For many reasons this was an amazing feat, but especially that Jim is now 2-year-post op his kidney transplant. This was a great dad - daughter event and the rest of the family supported them as they reached the finish line! The 6^th Annual Wilmington Kidney Walk was held in the fall and our family is very involved in the organization of the Walk. We also supported the first Pancreatic Cancer 5K Walk/Run that was held in Wilmington, DE earlier in the summer. Our son, Matt is on the Board of this worthy cause. This was the first walk and was extremely successful. Matt, as well as Jim are using their experiences to “get the word out” about kidney disease and transplant and pancreatic cancer disease.

Matt’s year has been a full and exciting! He continues to feel great and he is healthier then he has ever been! He is now 2-years post-op and all indicators are very good! Matt is ABD status for his doctorate and should graduate sometime in 2014. He is doing very well in his work as a Department Chair at Wilmington University and enjoys. Last year he was accepted into an elite leadership group called Leadership Delaware where he has learned and grown through this amazing experience.

Megan continues to work half-time at Wilmington University and is very thankful that she is able to be home with Jackson. She also has added graduate classes to her already full schedule. She misses many aspects of teaching and hopes to use her teaching skills again in the near future. Megan is a fantastic mommy! She definitely enjoys her role as wife and mother.

Lindsay continues to enjoy his full-time work in his new position (Assessment Coordinator) as well as his adjunct faculty teaching opportunities at Wilmington University, as well as continuing to steadily work on his doctoral degree! He is a wonderful daddy and husband. He is a good provider for his family and a wonderful addition to our family! We are so blessed to have such amazing children.

Jim loves his work as Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Wilmington University and his health is very good. He completed a year-long program for new chief academic officers and serves on a number of non-profit boards. Tina knows how blessed she is to have the “gig” she has: Mimi-Days are the best! She continues to do volunteer work as well as some small bible studies and opportunities to mentor with young woman (singled and married). Both Jim and Tina would like to spend more time on their hobbies and fit them in when they can. Life is good and we are so very blessed!

There have been some losses and unexpected events throughout this year. We have grieved and we have been changed in the process, but we have also grown from these experiences. We seek to look at each day, as our grandson does, with anticipation, excitement, curiosity and hope. We all have a safety net in the One who is always with us; through the good events and the not-so-good.

Merry Christmas and may you have an Amazing New Year,

Jim & Tina