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Mark Valencia
VALENCIA HOLIDAY LETTER 2013
This was truly a banner year for the Valencia family – the Red Sox won the series, there were two new additions to the Hawaii clan, and - knock on wood – all of us are reasonably healthy, hale and hearty.
This year I watched the Sox from the shaky beginning to the glorious end. I subscribed to the baseball channel and I was determined to get my money’s worth. So I watched damn near every game. I was fully expecting the team to fade in the end – when the going got tough. But they didn’t and instead my bitter past experiences faded and transformed into pure joy – what great victories – what a great feeling!! And most important I was able to share the final victory with both Bennett and – Costa-- my grandson.
Speaking of grandchildren – this of course was the major event of the year and certainly one of the major events in our lives. Two grandchildren were born – one month apart. Costa Keitani Zakaria Valencia – prematurely on 26 April followed by Tyler Mark Gustafson on 26 May. These events have brought on a reflective period in our lives. They – the babies – are a marvel –to watch them learn day by day-- not just for us – but they embody and replicate the miracle of humankind – reproduction, survival and hopefully progress of the human race. To me it has been an intellectually deep and emotional experience.
Both babies are developing normally – and we see Costa three times a week. B-- the woman who “didn’t like kids very much” has become a really devoted grandmother. She was with Aishah for the birth of Tyler. She was also with Neilani during her ordeal. I have told B -- and I want to share here-- that she never ceases to amaze me and I respect and love her more every day. She is a wonderful life companion—never a dull moment!
My professional year was off – when it was off, and on when it was on. I held the fort and stayed home for most of the first half of the year—which I enjoyed. Then somewhat out of the blue I was invited to significant conferences in China (where they made me Co-Chair), Sydney, Seoul and Vietnam. Things are moving in the maritime policy area in Asia and it’s really getting exciting.
I also had a trip to the University of Indiana in April for a conference on North Korea!! Why “North Korea” in such a place – well I guess to keep it under the radar. I met and drank with one of the main go – betweens for the U.S. and North Korea. It turns out we had similar philosophies and ideas.
Most important, I was able to piggyback a visit to Virginia and a very pregnant Aishah and Dave, which was fun. We had a very pleasant dinner with Bob and Sandy Chamberlin and Dianne Watson and then I went on to Maine to see Jimmy, Becky and Jonathan. I also met up with cousin Skipper in Worcester, and we had a good tete–a-tete. And I had dinner with my old friend now living in Mansfield – Davey Dunlap – a fun evening of reminiscing.
So, it was - as the song says a ‘very good year’ and we pass on our good news to all.
Aishah, Dave and Tyler Mark will be joining us for Christmas and we will be together as a complete family for the first time.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!
Mark and B
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