Merry Christmas!
Welcome to the 2022 edition of Falk Talk!
I don't know about you, but I may be feeling a slight inkling of . . . what is that . . . normalcy???
Let's look back on the year and see how far we've come.
On January 1, 2022 my dear friend Jill and I flew to New York City for two jam-packed days to fulfill a promise we made in 2019 - to see Moulin Rouge on Broadway. Turns out, the star of the weekend was the evening we spent watching the original cast of Hadestown.
The next highlight was getting to watch our Princess be baptized on January 9 at her beloved Birmingham church home, Redeemer Community Church. Her college pastor choked up as he introduced her. The morning was made that much more special because her best friend and college roommate was also baptized that morning!
Later in January we enjoyed watching Buddy's debut in Samford University's long standing tradition called "Step Sing". Just Google it. And watch the Sigma Chi entry from last year. You won't be disappointed!
In April we not only celebrated 22 years of Princess, but we celebrated her graduation from college! She walked across the stage on April 29 and we couldn't have been more proud of her. She worked the summer at Camp ASCCA before coming back to Austin to begin her Masters in Public Health at the University of Texas at Austin.
May brought Buddy back home for the summer and saw my return to the stage in Austin Shakespeare Company's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (my favorite Shakespeare play) in Zilker Park. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that production.
Also in May, my lovely niece married the love of her life in a beautiful outdoor ceremony in the exact place her parents said "I do".
May was busy! It was the month that I said good-bye to teaching middle school theatre and began a new chapter as Academic and College Advisor for Veritas Academy.
AND Gordon consolidated two learning centers into one, closing our location in Cedar Park.
In June, we rested.
On July 5 we had to say good-bye to our beloved Calvin. He was a good boy and we miss him dearly.
This summer for vacation, instead of going to Palm Springs, Gordon and I took a trip to the mountains of New Mexico. We opted for cooler this year! We had a wonderful time walking down the main street of Ruidoso, getting caught in a thunderstorm on a mountain and going to the horse races.
Live performances are making their way back! Gordon and I were able to go to TWO live music events: Rufus Wainwright in September ...
... and Sir Elton John in San Antonio in October. It was truly a delight.
Throughout the year Gordon and I were blessed to once again partner with our church to be a mentor couple to a young adult small group Bible study. We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these young men and women and come alongside them in their spiritual journey. Nothing keeps you young (or reminds you that you're old) like hanging out with twenty/thirty-somethings on a regular basis!
We spent Thanksgiving with the Falk side of the family. We gave thanks not only for the blessing of being together again, but of a Michigan victory over Ohio State for the second year in a row! GO BLUE!
And that brings us to December!
A time to reflect on the challenges and victories of the past 12 months.
A time to cherish those still with us and mourn those who have gone on.
A time to look ahead with hope.
A time to celebrate the birth of the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Our church has been studying these names of Christ this season and it's been a beautiful series. The sermons are posted on YouTube under Austin Oaks Church if you are curious.)
We pray that you and yours will find rest and peace this holiday season.
Please let us know how you are doing!
