Limerence Update #63

November 2004-January 2005

Visit to America - USA

Time to go home! This update isn't much about cruising, but a story of our family reunion. We flew direct from Roma Italy to Atlanta Georgia in just over nine hours arriving in mid-day. We made our connections to Myrtle Beach South Carolina. We would stay in Georgetown, South Carolina with Judy’s Mother, Doris. We hadn’t been back to the USA for over a year, and we were thrilled to be home. We were also curious to make our own assessment of the mood of Americans after the recent re-election of George W. Bush. We had followed the campaigns closely and are admitted “news junkies”. We have a satellite dish and watch CNN International news every day.  

We stepped off the plane and drove directly to the rehab hospital where Doris was recuperating from hip replacement surgery! This surgery was a surprise to everyone, including Doris! Months earlier she booked a beach house on Pawley’s Island for her 80^th birthday celebration and Thanksgiving Family Reunion. All four of our sons and families were coming, as well as Judy’s sister and brother. We worried that Mother wouldn’t be strong enough to attend her own party. Remarkably, just three weeks after surgery, Doris climbed 23 stair steps up to the Beach House and settled in for the reunion week! The picture at the left is her actual birthday lunch at the rehab hospital.

The Beach House – Pelican’s Perch - is a rambling modern five-bedroom home on the south part of Pawley’s Island. It was beautifully appointed with accommodations for up to fifteen people. Each bedroom had an ocean view, and the kitchen had every possible convenience including a trash compactor. The Atlantic Ocean was steps away from the screened in porch. We enjoyed typical autumn weather . . .sunny days and cool evenings. It was a perfect place to host our families.

Pawley's Island, South Carolina	Thanksgiving Day - 2004

Dianne Athey, Judy’s sister, arrived at Doris’s home on Saturday before Thanksgiving. Dianne lives in New York City and works as art director for Town and Country Magazine. She always has wonderful stories about famous people and places. She and her boyfriend, Peter, live in Chelsea.

Everyone in our family is an artist - except for me (Judy)! Mother is a professional watercolorist who exhibits in several galleries. John is a design manager for an exhibit company. My Father, Jack, was a mechanical engineer, designer of machine tools, and designed and built our homes in Akron, Ohio and Georgetown, South Carolina. The Athey family has art and music flowing through the genes!

Next came son, Drew Decker from San Diego. Drew was in charge of the music for the week, and came toting a guitar. He plays in several bands in addition to his regular social services job. Drew is talented in art and music also. He provides us with poetry, sketches, thoughtful books, and cd's of his guitar playing. He also developed this website and can figure out how to do anything on a computer.

Next in the door came brother John Athey and his wife, Sandi. They celebrated their wedding anniversary that week. Sandi is in the yacht sales business, and John is an award winning art designer.They both love to cook! They are from San Francisco and Hawaii, so you can see we had the country covered at this point! The next day we all took off for the beach house. We carried along fifteen sets of sheets and towels, groceries and booze for fifteen people, plus souvenirs and gifts for everyone.

In mid-afternoon son Scott and Barb Allen, and our grandson Nicholas, arrived at the beach house from Milwaukee Wisconsin. They decided to make the 18-hour drive with a quick overnight stop along the way. Scott works as a regional sales rep for the Symbol Company, and Barbara is senior VP for ChartOne. We were thrilled to see them. Our first grandchild, Nicholas, is eight years old, and a straight A student in the second grade. Nick is a game player of amazing skill.

Scott and Barbara Allen	Nicholas and Dad - Scott

A few hours later, Doug drove again to the airport to pick up son Jake Decker from Columbus Ohio. Jake’s girlfriend Robin Schuette would arrive in a few days. They both work for Netjets, which is the largest fractional jet ownership company in the world. Jake is the director of flight standards, and a captain. Robin is a recruiter and flight attendant. Finally, that night our last son arrived. Jason and Debra Allen drove to Pawley’s from Fort Myers Florida. Jason is the Fort Myers area sales manager for the Trane Corporation, and Deb is a full time new Mom. They presented our new granddaughter, beautiful eight-month old Kailey. She is the first girl in our family – so just imagine our feelings!

Jake Decker & Robin Schuette	Debra and baby Kailey	Jason, Kailey and Grandma Judy

That Sunday night the party began!! We shared stories, took pictures, played music, games, and simply enjoyed being together. Throughout the week everyone did their own thing. . . playing golf, shopping, reading, hiking on the beach, knitting, and relaxing. Robin arrived on Wednesday. We cooked at the beach house, went to a lobster dinner at a local restaurant, and finally celebrated Thanksgiving at Doris’s home in Georgetown. Everyone looked forward to seeing Mother's paintings. It was the first time our whole family had Thanksgiving together – EVER. Our week was complete with a family golf outing on Friday and Mother’s 80^th birthday celebration that night.We presented Mother with framed pictures of our family, and a beautiful watch. She wore the "birthday crown" and enjoyed being surrounded by children and grandchildren. She truly beamed with happiness.  The finale of our week together was memorable as only time with family can be..

GreatGrandma Doris and Kailey	Doris, Dianne and Sandi	Doug and Jake

Drew  and Jason	Debra	Happy Birthday Mother	Dianne incognito!

December flew by, as we got ready for Christmas. We enjoyed decorating Mother’s house – inside and out! Just before the holidays we drove to Atlanta to visit Doug’s brother Ron Decker and his beautiful new bride, Viviane. They bought a home on ten acres with a small pond in a village outside of Alpharetta. The only complaint about their rural seeing is that Fed Ex can't find their property  . .or friends and family for that matter!.

After our visit, we drove a few miles south to see nephew Bill and Kathy Decker and their teenagers, Will and Kate. They live in rambling estate on the Chattahoochee River. It was amazing to us that there exists such a wooded tranquil spot only a few miles from the bustle of downtown Atlanta. We loved seeing the Decker clan and were very impressed with Atlanta.   Soon Christmas Day arrived and was a special weekend spent with Mother.

Doug,Viviane, Judy, Ron	Viviane and Ron Decker	Kate, Bill, Will ,Kathy	Will and Kate Decker

After Christmas, sister Dianne returned from New York and visited for another week! That was a surprise, and a treat for all of us. Dianne played with Mother while we took off for two days and drove down to Charleston, South Carolina. The cobblestone streets, and historical buildings reminded us of Europe. We had a memorable dinner at the Carolina Yacht Club. After the first of the year,  we flew to Fort Myers for just a little more time with our new grandchild Kailey. Jason and Deb have a beautiful home with a grand piano dominating the livingroom! Jason played the piano to Kailey before she was born, so she got an early start to music appreciation.

Jake Decker, Nick and Scott Allen	Kailey and Grandpa Doug	Judy and Mother

With duffle bags bulging with a new computer, IPOD, new camera, and clothes. .  we took off for Roma on January 12^th. We loved being with our families, but it is always great to get “home” to Limerence. January in Roma is cold. . . at night the temperature drops to freezing! Most days are sunny and warm enough to ride our bikes – but we are looking forward to spring!

Fair winds friends,

Judy and Doug

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