2022 was a terrible year for Betty and I.

First we lost my brother.  Then Betty's brother.  A dear friend in Colorado and my two best friends in Roswell.  Then, in early fall, the news about our son.

He had been missing for about three years.  He lived in Flagstaff and just dropped out of sight.  He used to call us once or twice a month and come home for Christmas and then all of sudden nothing.

Two years ago we reported him as a missing person with the Flagstaff Policed Department.  They had nothing.

In late September we got a call from a detective in Flagstaff.  A hunter found his Jeep in a remote campsite in the national forest near Flagstaff.  And near the Jeep skeletal remains.  The detective said the Jeep had been there for at least two years.  They are still awaiting the DNA test results but are 99% sure it is our son.  An anthropologist from the University of Arizona said the race, size, and other characteristics of the remains make them almost sure it is our son.  They told us there was no evidence of foul play.

It was like him though.  He loved to get away by himself in the wilderness.

At our age we expect to see our peers pass on.  But not our children.  It seems like 2022 was a terrible year with all of it coming at once.

Hope 2023 is better for us.

Noel

Edited December 31, 20223 yr by birdguy

All the Very Best Noel to You and Betty for 2023.

Lets hope, hey.

Phil & Kath - Bakewell UK

My best wishes to you and Betty Noel. I enjoy you're informative and entertaining post in Hanger Chat and hope to continue doing so in 2023.

Happier New Year, Noel and everyone! 😀

Hoping for a better one for you Noel!!  Selfishly hoping for a better one over here as well!

The year started with a four level cervical fusion which left me with stroke like symptoms down my right arm for months followed by Covid followed by 4 hernias and 2 more operations then ANOTHER bad bout of Covid which left me with Bells Palsy on the right side of my face...  Oh, and a marriage falling apart on top of it for good measure.

Pretty pleased that I actually got myself back into the race car in between the fusion and the hernias, got back to the gym for the first time last week, I can do a few hours of cardio again, I can actually run a mile again despite the lumbar fusion, cervical fusion and replaced hip and I'm finishing the year at 300% of goal at work.  Also learned how to better handle myself with poise and composure through everything as well so there were even some good lessons along the way!  Yep, despite it all there are still lessons to be learned and opportunities to improve myself.

Hoping for a better 2023!! 

Happy and Healthy everyone! 

Though I only know you over the years thru AVSIM,  your sad, sad story just about pierced my heart...

I hope and pray that 2023 will give you some joy, and over time, some solace.

 

I second that notion  Charlie  Two days ago makes two years i lost my sister. I was not allowed in the hospital   to hold her hand and say goodbye. My other sister was not allowed in either due to that thing i cannot mention without being banned.My memory of her counts right now. A better year for 2023. Peace, and goodwill to all in this website.

Edited January 1, 20233 yr by Paul Deluca

You're a braver man than I Paul.  I don't know how well I could hold up to all of that.  I hope 2023 is better year for you and for the rest of us.

Noel

Great example of the empathy of our little enthusiast community. Wishing everyone a better new year, no matter where you are. 

WIshing you a happier New Year Noel

A bit late, but I'm just catching up. No matter how was your 2022 (I've got nothing but good things to say about last year), I hope 2023 is full of good things for all of you, Noel&Betty, Paul, and everyone else here 🙏