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Our family experienced much this past year.
First and foremost, Olga passed away after
a year long struggle with stomach cancer.
Olga was a good friend to all of us in the
Dresslar family and to everyone she met and
knew; she was a good mother to her two sons;
she was a good person in this world. She
will truly be missed by all who knew and
loved her. You can read about Olga's struggle
and our family's journey in Olga's Story.
Only six weeks after Olga passed away, Patrick
reached his 19th birthday. Next, July 10,
2001, would have been Olga and Walter's 25th
wedding anniversary. It came less than two
months after Olga's passing. The day was
endured with good memories, good thoughts,
and a deep grief and sense of loss. Two weeks
later, Walter reached his 47th birthday.
On August 15, 2001, we once again remembered
and grieved with the passing of Olga's birthday.
She would have been 48 years young. On September
1, 2001, Sef celebrated his 24th birthday.
In 2001, our family celebrated Thanksgiving at our home here in south Austin. We were
joined by many of my brothers and their families:
William, Becky came with their children from
Dallas, along with Mark and Quan. Michael
and Jenny came with their family from Omaha.
Mom and John visited from Austin. The food
and family get together were great. We were
even able to light a few candles in Olga's
memory at the Thanksgiving dinner table so
that she could be with us. Thanks to everyone
for coming and making the holiday a little
easier to bear this year.
Our granddaughter Seri Elizabeth Pauline
Dresslar celebrated her first birthday on November 29, 2001. The family gathered
at our home just after Thanksgiving for a
small party. Seri enjoyed her first taste
of birthday cake, and the many presents.
Finally, although Patrick and I had planned
on not celebrating Christmas this year, we
accepted Sef and Christi's invitation to
celebrate Christmas eve at their home, along with Christi's
family. Despite the grief we felt during
the evening, we enjoyed the gathering, especially
watching Seri open all her presents. Sometimes
the unintended celebrations becomes one of
the better celebrations. |