A Christmas Letter

A Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

Forty years ago we were married at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Bendigo.  At this time of year it is time to contemplate what our union has meant and will mean. To all who have been, to all who are now, and to all who are to come, we thank and remember you.    

We had a great family holiday at Ocean Grove in January the weather was warm and the swimming and beach superb. In April Maureen turned sixty so the four girls (plus baby Leo) and us went to Cairns for a week what a lovely time to spend with them. Blessings come in many forms when you have a family such as ours. The Condliffe boys continued their get together in February at The Barham Fishing Comp it is a great weekend we are doing it again next year. The Condliffe girls this year went to the City in June for their very enjoyable weekend, and the Healey’s Grand finale get together was a grand occasion at Vinnie and Kay’s.

Our big news this year was the engagement of TK and Katy on July 26^th with the wedding planned for Jan 24^th next year. We love you both and all the best for the future.

As part of our forty years celebrations we went on a South Seas cruise with our great friends the Addicoats, MCarthys, and Pottons in

September what a way to celebrate! Great Friends, Great times!

We are occupied by family, work and community, John’s hobbies of writing, fishing, music and gardening and Maureen’s of books, gardening and family, and of course our grandchildren keep us travelling to many places and events. John’s Book A Letter for my Daughters was launched in November (See his blog-It is available on all platforms) very exciting.

Our family are well: Katy nurse/midwife is now in New Guinea (coming home for wedding) with partner TK who is an Obs/Gyno specialist. Katy has been doing great work with a women’s crisis centre, nursing, midwifery and community activities. Angela and Matt are busy at Tylden with their five children (Terry-Fishing legend and good bloke, Ebonie-School excelling and went to PNG this year, Hannah-Gymnastics and loves reading, Lily-Loves the outdoors and chatting, Denver-is achieving well at school and is an inspiration to us all)   Angy is working as a Doula and starting a new Doula training course soon in Castlemaine she went to PNG to visit sister Katy this year. Matt is continuing as an Arborist and Captain of Tylden Fire Brigade. Janice lives not far from us (with Josef and Marlee) and is nursing and running her own cleaning business. She is very involved in the P&F of Our Lady of the Rosary School and other community work. Marlee starts school next year, Josef is a hip hop marvel. Alison and James in Castlemaine thirty minutes away, with youngest grandchild Leo who now is in to everything. Alison is returning to two days teaching and is tutoring from home. James continues at Castlemaine Bacon and is getting into gardening.

Forty years of Christmases as a couple has not diminished our joy in sharing it together and with family but rather increases its meaning and depth for us. We look forward to the future with anticipation in the knowledge that the past holds more than memories, the present is enough in itself and the future is ours to shape and share with those we love and care for.

 

 

 

John and Maureen                                                                                          Christmas 2014