Daer Mary, Many happy returns of your 76th Birthday! Here it is already August 1. ! With my love, Isobel xoxo
On 31 Jul 2025, at 12:14 pm, mary hampton via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
A Year
August 1 I will be 76 years old, I reflect on this turning.
In June we had a different vacation. We took a Viking river cruise on the River Elba. WE started with two days in Prague, then 5 days on the river and 2 days in Berlin. It was a more pampered way than we have travelled with tours every day, excellent meals and drinks included. I wondered if I would have had the endurance for a longer cruise. We followed this with 10 days in England. Highlighted more touring by train, staying with Stuart’s sister, Brenda and visiting His brother Malcolm. I also met and immediately bonded with Quaker, Bill M – we are both penpals of Joseph on Texas Death Row.
One of my favorite actions in England is to visit the multiple small thrift shops. (Every charity from Air Ambulances to P.E.T.A. seems to have one in every local High Street.) After shopping in some on our day train trips and having a longer wander in Watford High Street I observed my purchases: assorted Knick knacks for gifts, 3 blue handkerchiefs, a blue dress, blue blouse and blue, print skirt. I do not do this consciously. I have worn them all since I got home. One young woman at Meeting affirms “Blue is good on you.” Without my asking.
I just read Iron Boy by David Marshall. So did Stuart. When I talked to our daughter Lis, so did she. I remember many years ago being asked if I grew up in the Order. “Yes, but I was 20 when I came.” A world of difference in being 20 and deciding and 6 and told this is where we live. Thank you, David.
In February the State of Texas executed my friend of 16 years, Richard Tabler. When we were travelling, I learned of the death of Martha (SKY) Dempster. Martha was my college roommate, invited me to RSI, and was my bridesmaid. It has been ten years since we talked; a loss. I also lost Donna S, a dance instructor here in Austin. Then 130+ died in floods between the Texas Hill Country and Travis County where live.
In the midst of life, you know. My year has been given to activity familiar with the exceptions being the last two months. Being Quaker, Religious Society of Friends. My shorthand definition “Go cheerfully through the earth responding to that of God in everyone.” Some of that translates into direct care; I am currently clerk of Care and Counsel, our local pastoral care committee. Death Row and other prison visits are important to me.
I dance. This one of my communities meets twice a week for choreographed play, I continue to keep an art journal—now on Volume 6. We are lucky enough to live an hour or less from our children, Elisabeth and Christopher and from our grandchildren. LIFE IS GOOD.
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