Shades of gold and crimson are rare in the autumn along the Gulf Coast of Texas where we live, but this year was different. Walking and driving became relaxing adventures in the fresh, warm late-season air, and homes were festively lit for Christmas.

Our Christmas time with family—every one of the fourteen of them—was happy and celebratory. All are well and productively engaged in their various endeavors. We feel truly grateful and blessed.

This past year saw Kathy happy and sassy—truly the “caregiver with the mostest.” She joyfully attends to my ups and downs with grace and aplomb, calmly handling even my occasional “out of sorts” moments. I sometimes feel guilty when my energy runs low and she is left to manage everything, but she does not like my apologizing. She took the “for better, for worse” vow seriously—though I am not “worse” very often. My personality and temperament keep me cheerful and content most of the time.

Kathy also stayed busy with her monthly women’s luncheon, volunteer activities, and her work as accompanist—and sometimes director—of the Bonterra Singers. Their Christmas concert was enjoyed by many people in three different presentations. I had hoped to sing this year, but life intervened, and I found myself happily seated in the audience.

Medically, while living with multiple myeloma, I have had a decent year. My numbers are “great,” my oncologist is pleased, and I now have only once-a-month chair infusions that last six or seven hours. I rebound more quickly than I did in the past. Between infusions, Kathy and I have been able to travel, visiting family and friends, and enjoying a month-long trip to Greece and the lake region of northern Italy with friends. Frankly, I look wonderful and strive to stay active. I know how blessed I am. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

I almost forgot to mention my eye episode, which consumed five weeks of our winter schedule. In short, my reading eye lost all pressure and required an excruciatingly painful  emergency office procedure to re-inflate it. I was then referred to another specialist who identified the leaks, sealed them with a type of medical superglue, and placed a large contact lens over the eye to hold everything together. For weeks, I could not bend, lift, or allow anything near that eye. Fortunately, we had a walk-in spa bathtub installed this year, and it proved to be a blessing. My eye is healing well, my sight is returning, and although I may need glasses after years without them, I praise God that my eye was saved.

As a new year begins to unfold, we give thanks to God for family, friends, home, and health. We entrust ourselves into the everlasting arms of the God who loves us and who gave us His Son as Lord and Savior.

2026—here we come!

Joy in Jesus,   Wayne and Kathy Graumann 

123 Mountain Laurel Drive, Montgomery, TX. 77316

wgraumann@icloud.com  281-727-6989     *     kgraumann@icloud.com  713-325-3650