Christmas Letter 2018


Tom and Michele continued their travels, though the trip of the year was Michele journey through Egypt and Israel with Amy for three weeks last September, while Tom hung out at the Oregon coast and went fishing with an old friend on the Missouri River near Pierre, SD. We also went to Baja CA, to Leadville, CO to watch grandson Sam ski in the State tournament, to Seattle for the Tigers-Mariners series, to Marblehead-Salem-Boston in July with the whole family at Jason and Helen’s new old house, to Michigan for the wedding of brother Greg’s daughter, Lauren and her husband, Alex, and to Newberg, OR, where we used to live and work, a couple of times to meet with friends.

In March, just before our 53rd anniversary, we finally sold the Coupeville house, after a year on the market. We are really enjoying our downsized 1600 sq. ft. home in Oak Harbor (1371 SW Windsor St., 98277; only cellphones 503-550-9277 [T] and 503-550-9249 [M]). It’s just right for us, all on one floor, and easier by far to maintain. In June Michele had a couple of eye surgeries to correct and improve her vision; it was semi-successful. Speaking of anniversaries, this summer was our 10th on Whidbey Island. Sam (16) came to visit us for a week in August and caught a salmon fishing from shore. All the family is coming for Christmas here, except for Sam and Peter, who will be in Russia skiing. Sam’s been there since September locking in Russian language and learning to navigate in a very different culture.

Sarah and Matt live in Roseville, MN. Sarah got tenure in the Psychology Dept at St. Thomas U. in St, Paul. Amy continues her writing-editing work at The Christian Century and is working on a book on Mary of Egypt (hence the long trip last fall). Jason continues at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. We love doing FaceTime with their kids, Nina (12) and Nathaniel (9), who are into music and hockey, respectively, at the moment.

Michele is involved in volunteering 1) for Habitat for Humanity (accounting), 2) doing taxes for the AARP tax aid program, 3) accounting and serving at the Central Whidbey Food Bank, 4) data entry and accounting for Sound Water Stewards (formerly Beachwatchers), 5) babysitting a delightful 2 year old once a week, and helping at church with Sunday School.

Tom preaches and teaches around the area occasionally, leads a Monday Study Group of 25-30, teaches Greek and is learning Latin, serves on the church (St. Stephen’s Episcopal) board, chairs the adult education committee and the search committee for our new pastor/priest, serves as a Eucharistic minister and adult class teacher, is on the board of Whidbey Island Theological Studies, meets regularly with friends for study and coffee, and posts stuff on Facebook.

You can see that we are happy, in love, and aging, a very good combination. We hope that you and your families have a joyful and peaceful Christmas season.
Tom and Michele Johnson       

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