2023 Holiday Letter from the Reicher's

Well, I didn't think I'd be doing a Holiday Letter this year, but here goes...

The Spirit of Norm is in the air. As the wind whips with minus a true snowstorm.  In hopes the Farmers Almanac was correct, I pray to the snow gods. Rain ensued the month of December thus far. We have nearly tripled the amount of rainfall usual for December in New Jersey. And I've witnessed its treachery. Storms such as these hit us hardest in July. Then remained fairly intense through til about early October. 
Our daughters are doing well, Thank God.  Their Dad would be proud of them.

Our oldest Sarah, now a Junior at UCLA pursuing her degree in Chemical Engineering. She's digging the whole California scene. Which I thought it was for her. She's had some good traveling on her off times from school. For her March 2023 week off, she drove her and a few friends out to Lake Tahoe and went downhill skiing for a first in nearly 5 years. She had to rent the ski equipment.  Funny enough when she received her rented skis, it had her father's name stamped on them. As they say you can't make this stuff up. She sent me a picture of them with his name stamped on them. I knew then not only had he been watching over her, yet too, he always wanted to take her skiing out west.  Now they were skiing together. He in spirit, and her in person.
She had friends over the summer who treated her to a concert in Times Square. She's now in her second visit to Atlanta to enjoy another holiday with one of her college friend's family this year before flying home to us for Christmas. I am indeed grateful. And as usual, Sarah had and does hold at least one job throughout her school years.

Our youngest, Toby shocked people and shook the universe as she seldom realizes. No parents could be prouder. She was awarded 23 awards at the end of senior year of high school, including achieving Salutorian of her class. She also received a State Athletic Award and was invited to a luncheon to receive some scholarship money from the state's high school athletic organization. She maintained a three sport year, including making it to the State Group in Spring Track for the Shot Put. Her tennis improved markedly, achieving Honorable Mention Second Team Singles for the County Patriot Division. Toby remained in Marching Band as she had all years in high school.  And too, Jazz Band and Concert Band. Her load was so heavy taking eight courses, one she had to take online, it did not fit into the school's schedule. She took four AP courses, and received credit from two Dual-Enrollment courses, one being Holocaust Studies for her Senior year. She worked regularly in the summer as a lifeguard at a local municipal pool.
Her first semester in Biology-Immunology,  she was accepted into their FRI program. And it appears she's flourishing. And too, enjoying a number of their clubs. One in particular,  Birding.
Our pets, Nibbles, Aspen and Cocoa Bean have survived the family shifts. Phewwwe! Nibbles our eldest Bunny now age 90 (9 years old), Aspen will be turning 80 in March.  Our little man, a Guinea Pig. Cocoa Bean just turned 126 years old on December 4th (18 years per our one year).

Me, I worked for AmeriCorps serving our nation in Conservation,  being a trail crew member for NY/NJ Trail Conference.  I wanted to be outside. I've always wanted a hard labor job outside. And I wanted to listen to the kids of today's hopes and dreams. The average age of those who, especially trail crew members were usually 18-28 years old. Our federal government in Conservation does not usually allow a trail crew member to be over age 32. However,  I had great referrals to prove my sturdiness. Nearing age 61 then they gave me a trail crew position. I met the nicest, kindest people.  The training was tremendous! It was probably one of the best work experiences I've ever had. I earned an education stipend for my three month (450 hours) full-time service, that either I or either one of our daughters can use for education in the future.
We worked with mostly hand tools, prying rocks out of the ground, shaping them,  and many times smashing them to make crush which works like cement to hold large rock steps, log steps and gargoyles in place with nature.  I learned how use a 30lb and a 50lb drill on the mountain side. I learned how and why to make drains to salvage trails and nature. I learned how to wrap a rock from 280lbs to near a ton to hoist up, belay and shepherd a rock. Which we shepherded rocks up to 1,000 pounds up in the air for about 100 meters down the mountain side. I learned how to swamp, move big boulders on a mountain side some with a spud pryer and some by hand...slowly.
My old Staff Sergeant Pam from over 40 years ago visited with her hubby, Jim from Minnesota for a 3 hour lunch.
I maintained my running regularly, added hiking to my fitness repertoire when and where I can. I went to an advanced therapy school and earned a new certification for my therapy license.  I also earned another certification in nutrition, recently. I wrote two more books and hopefully (waiting... oh oh waiting) will win this next screenplay competition I'd recently entered after meeting with an executive producer twice on the show this fall. And had another editor give me kudos, said she loved it as part of her review. Its a tough business. Six re-writes and away we go---Jacke Gleason. LOL.
With hope of peace in all of our futures. God Bless.---Jody-Lynn Reicher