Who you are …

As part of this December double-edition (two blog entries for the price of one), I thought the people to whom I send a monthly e-mail message announcing new posts might like to know something about the other recipients.   The distribution list is carefully curated, and each person receiving the message is special to me in at least one but usually in multiple ways.   To protect your identities, I will stick with first names.   In no particular order but grouped into general categories, here we go:

Immediate Family:

• Janet:  my wife, spouse, partner, confidant, keeper of all my secrets, truthsayer, praying woman, Ah Ah to the grand kids and love of my life, 2nd grade elementary school teacher by profession, makes a home with me in Eugene, OR, plans to retire in June 2019
• Bethany:  eldest daughter, partner to Nate, mother to Alexandra “Alex” and Simon, lover of two cats (Phoebe and Josie), licensed counselor by profession, lives in Puyallup, WA, Nickname:  Wetha (short for Wetha Betha)
• Nate:  son-in-law, partner to Bethany, father to Alex and Simon, hard-core Duck fan, craft beer connoisseur, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church by profession
• Sammi:  youngest daughter, partner to Jacob, mother to Parker, early childhood intervention specialist by profession, lives in Falls Church, VA, Nickname: Samster or Poms
• Jacob Mi  son-in-law, partner to Sammi, father to Parker, huge Patriots fan, MMA devotee, recommends Bosa Donuts, industrial psychologist by profession
• Tamara:  beloved younger sister, partner to Roger, mother to Eilene, certified spiritual guide, Christian mystic, executive assistant at Fuller Seminary by profession, lives in La Verne, CA, Nickname (preferred):  Tammi
• Roger: brother-in-law, partner to Tammi, father to Eilene, computer whiz, handyman extraordinaire, IT specialist by profession
• Chok Pin:  adopted brother, part of the Watson family since coming to the US from Malaysia as a college student in the late ’70s, retired Microsoft accountant, world traveler, Christian philanthropist, lives in Australia, Malaysia and the USA
• Martin:  in-law by marriage, father to Nate, father-in-law to Bethany, grandfather to Alex and Simon, partner to Merrily, professional dancer, retired high school teacher, lives in Eugene, OR, Nickname:  Larry
• Edna: aunt, partner to Knute, sister to my mother Shirley, writer/poet, retired faculty member from Skagit Valley Community College, lives in Killaspuglonane townland, County Clare, Ireland, Nickname (for me): Aunty Faye
• Knute: uncle, partner to Edna, brother-in-law to my mother Shirley, writer/poet, retired faculty member from Western Washington University, published works available through salmonpoetry.com

Extended Family:

This is a long-suffering group.   None of you asked to be included in the distribution list, but only one of you has written to say please remove my name (always an option and you won’t hurt my feelings).  My intent in sharing the blog with you is two-fold:  (1) you are family and I want to connect with you on a deeper level; (2) I hope to inspire one or more of you to start your own blog 🙂

• Albert:  father-in-law, dad to Janet, Karen, Linda and Jennifer, partner to Ann, retired forester, lives in Walla Walla, WA, Nickname: Al
• Jennifer: sister-in-law, youngest sister to Karen, Linda and Janet, daughter of Al and Jean (deceased), airport manager for Port of Walla Walla by profession, lives in Walla Walla, WA, adored by many nieces and nephews, Nickname:  Jenny
• John L: brother-in-law by marriage, dad to Andrew, Alison, Kevin and Kristine, partner to Karen, retired archaeologist from Army Corps of Engineers, lives in Walla Walla, WA
• Andrew:  nephew, son to John and Karen, attended WSU, IT specialist for Wilbur Ellis, has pilot’s license, lives in Renton, WA
• Kevin:  nephew, younger brother to Andrew, son to John and Karen, attended WSU, partner to Michaela, dog dad to Finn, IT/business information professional, lives in Seattle, WA
• Lazlo:  nephew, son to Linda and Laz, older brother to Josh, partner to Lindsey, father to Lazlo and Lucas, family man, banker by profession, lives in Coeur D’Alene, ID, Nickname: Laz or Lotsie
• Josh:  nephew, son to Linda and Laz, younger brother to Lazlo, senior at University of Idaho, lifeguard, outdoors-man par excellence, lives in Moscow, ID
• Jacob Ma:  nephew in-law by marriage, partner to Kaylee (niece), cousin-in-law to Lazlo and Josh, woodworker, avid hiker, elementary school principal by profession, lives in Twin Falls, ID, Nickname: Jake
• John K:  uncle-in-law by marriage, partner to Donna, father to Elizabeth and Laura, father-in-law to Mark and Taku, retired Federal administrator, antique car aficionado, photographer, lives in Bend, OR
• Mark M:  first cousin-in-law by marriage, son-in-law to John, partner to Elizabeth, father of Susanna and Kathryn, Green Bay Packer fanatic, runner, Microsoft security specialist/operative by profession, lives in Issaquah, WA
• Taku:  first cousin-in-law by marriage, son-in-law to John, partner to Laura, father of Kyler and Alec, business executive by profession, renowned chef, lives in Oakland, CA
• Pete:  second cousin-in-law by marriage, partner to Lori, father to David, teacher by profession, big Husky fan, skier, lives in Kirkland, WA
• Paul:  first cousin by marriage, partner to Liz, older brother to Susie and Scott, engineer by profession, life-long swimmer, hiker, dog dad to Rufus and Moshe, lives in Bellevue, WA
• Scott:  first cousin by marriage, partner to Allison, youngest brother to Paul and Susie, school nurse by profession, expectant father, family story teller, lives in Burien, WA 
• Brian:  first cousin-in-law by marriage, partner to Susie, father to Abbie and Zoe, dog dad to Moka, windsurfer, programmer and software start-up entrepreneur by profession, lives in Portland, OR 

Friends:

There are not a lot of you on this list, but your impact on my life is immeasurable.   Each one of you has cared for and accepted me for who I truly am.  You each know a scary amount of detail about my strengths and weaknesses and, although nothing in this blog will surprise you, I hope it will make you smile and maybe laugh.

• Don:  my college roommate and the only friend with whom I have maintained contact from the college years and before; check out the other post for December to learn a lot more about this amazing dude
• Rob:  our partners, Jani and Janet, introduced us and it was bro-mance at first sight; we have run many miles together, drank countless beers, cried, talked, bought basketball tickets together, watched each other’s children grow up; shared our hopes, dreams, despairs and will probably retire about the same time
• John:  my motorcycle brother and confessor; you know where all the skeletons are buried and still want to hang out with me; heck, we even bought a motorcycle trailer together and, if that’s not love …
• Andrew:   my amigo; your kindness, compassion and understanding run deep; you always inspire the better part of me; in my next life I want to come back at least as half as nice and intelligent as you!