Report of 3 Jan 2024

 Happy New Year!

I am a mother-in-law.  Nat, our daughter, got married last month at a ceremony at the Banyan.  James and she co-own a farm with 2 others, and do engineering jobs during the day plus farm work at off times.  My father made it for the wedding, along with a fleet of caregivers; we were very glad of that and that he did not fall ill.  James's mother, Tina, and stepfather, Jeff, travelled to India for the wedding and all appreciated meeting them. 

2 months were spent organising wedding stuffola.  Nat and James left on the 1st late night/2nd early morning.  Naren and Rebecca are sitting in front of us, doing work on the computer, and will leave later today.  

Tomorrow, Scott and I will go work with a remarkable nonprofit called Wild Ideas.  I had been asking them for some time for the opportunity, and it has come through.  They suggested I go in December; it was a bit hectic then, so we requested a Jan date.  That was mutually decided, and off we go tomorrow.  I look forward to working with a group of strong women.  

One of my colleagues and friends, Mr. X, had a massive heart attack earlier last year.  We tried to set up some followup for him, and that was accomplished; the procedure to look at the blood vessels surrounding his heart (a "cath" or an "angiogram") was not done and I definitely needed that done for him.  So we contacted some nice docs who take care of impoverished and ill people, and they saw my friend.  He had a severe blockage, so a bypass surgery was done, to my great relief.  Some of Mr. X's family members came to the wedding; he was still in the hospital then.  I am glad Mr. X is on the mend.

Among other guests at the wedding, 3 college friends were present and I was very happy.  So was a childhood friend, Farshid.  Everyone should have a Farsh at wedding-time; Farsh loved and chatted and laughed, and helped me cook and clean for the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gatherings.  After that dose of Farsh, all was right with the world.  It was lovely.  I understand weddings can be stressful.  Farsh made it less so.  

Happy and healthy New Year to all of you!

Unw -

R