[Oe List ...] GREETINGS AND WARMEST REGARDS FROM THE HAMILTONS!

Wed Dec 23 21:49:41 CST 2009

It has been a most fulfilling 2009 and we want to share just a few
highlights and insights from our year.

Some high points of the year for us were:

.        The Palm Springs International Film Festival in January shared with
our good friends the Butchers

.        The first-ever week-long visit by our Portland kids in March and a
whole day at Disneyland enjoyed by Katy and Grace

.        Our whirlwind trip to the Midwest in July-August:  Green Bay with
Carol and Tom (Linda's sister) and meeting our one-year-old niece for the
first time; Iowa to spend time with grandchildren Zack, Kayla and Sami; and
Minneapolis with Leslea and Jim (Milan's daughter), grandsons Tony and Nick,
and especially meeting for the first time great-grandson Jack and
step-great-granddaughters Peyton and Maddie

.        An October trip to Portland (we never get enough of Katy and
Gracie, 7 & 3 years old) followed by a special stay in Ashland, Oregon to
hear one of our favorite meditation teachers, Adyashanti

.        Witnessing the inauguration of President Barack Obama after a
too-long campaign which we were privileged to have worked on

  DSC04070.JPGDSCN4686.JPGDSC05180.JPG

  Eric, Tina, Grace, & Katy in Redlands                          Disneyland
Day                      Grandma Linda, Katy & Grace 

in Portland

DSC04594.JPGDSC04689.JPGDSC04905.JPGDSC04844-1.jpg

 Linda and Carol in Green Bay     Zack, Kayla, & Sami in Iowa    Great
Grandson Jack-Mpls  Step-great-grand-daughters 

Peyton & Maddie

Personal Highlights of 2009 were:

.        Milan's "retirement" from Participation Works

.        Linda's taking on new partners and seeing the formation of  the
Community of Practice of 12 ToP facilitators

.        Milan's continuing in his writing class and receiving a "student of
the year" award

.        Linda's continuing and expanding her teaching of 3 Tai Chi classes
with more than 50 students

.        Milan's joining the Redlands Photography Club and entering four
photos in a judging, winning a 1st and a 3rd place for two of them

.        Milan starting his new blog at www.mellowmilan.blogspot.com and
posting daily for more than two months

.        Receiving a gift from our good friend Georgianna McBurney of her
beloved 1993 Eagle Vision with only 95,000 miles on it, which allowed us to
pass on our beloved 1995 Camry with 230,000 miles to another friend

Oakglensnowfall.jpgOakglenpoetsbench.jpg

    Oak Glen Snowfall-1st Place in Apprentice Category        Oak Glen Poets
Bench-3rd place in Redlands Camera Club 

            Redlands Camera Club winter competition
winter competition

What was new this year was:

.        Two snow-birds joined our gang: Roz and Lowell Doherty, Tomi's
sister and brother-in-law moved into our complex and Milan's cousin Jan
brought her "house" (trailer) from Iowa for several months

.        Our Katy was selected for the Pacific Youth Choir and performed in
her first big concert (at age 7) this month

What has continued to sustain us this past year was:

.        Our daily morning and evening sitting meditation times

.        Our Tuesday evening meditation group that has been meeting in our
home for 25+ years

.        Happy hours with our gang, often at Frank's place

.        Sunday mornings at the Los Rios Nature Conservancy at Oak Glen
sitting by the lake reading when weather permits (and in the car by the old
school when it is cold)

Some things we have learned (or re-learned) from this past year were:

.        Gratitude for life as it comes

.        Not to over-expect results from political changes

.        The system is more of an obstacle than the people in it.

.        The economic tyrant has shown itself in graphic ways in the blatant
and shameless disregard for the people by powerful corporations.

.        The most effective action is always without expectation of results.

We feel fortunate to have shared another year with family, friends, and all
of you on this glorious life journey.  Whatever 2010 brings, we look forward
to also sharing it with you.  Peace, love, and joy be yours

Linda and Milan Hamilton

Participation Works

80 North Center Street

Redlands, CA  92373-8116

Phone/Fax: (909) 793-4482

E-mail: participationworks at verizon.net

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