Dear Friends,

A year like none other in our lifetimes: 2020 brought new challenges and great changes for 366 days, as it included a Leap Day! Growing up, I heard my parents and other older people talk about living through the flu pandemic of 1918-19. It never occurred to me that given medical advances and scientific research, that a century later the world would be dealing with another such situation. Each of us has been touched in some way—we grieve for those who have suffered and give thanks for miracles, healing, and those who serve in difficult circumstances. The hopes and prayers are that this year will bring solutions and solace to all.

The activities of the UTIA Retirees Association have been greatly altered in recent months. First, the Annual State Meeting and area spring meetings were canceled. Second, the Nominating Committee, chaired by John Jared, recommended that the current officers continue to serve for the foreseeable future. Third, state/area officers met by conference call and UTIA Senior Vice President Tim Cross hosted a “fireside chat” especially for UTIA Retirees. This opportunity was a highlight for all who participated and the updates shared were impressive. The Institute has exhibited flexibility and adaptability as education and research and programming has continued, albeit in different forms.

As most of us have been staying closer to home, we have found that faith and friends and hobbies and service continue to enrich our lives. Last year I had hoped to travel to Jordan and Israel, but that was not possible. In fact, for the first time that I can remember, I do not think that I spent one night away from home during the last twelve months.

Being an optimist, I generally like to think primarily about the good and the positive. A few highlights of my past year that come immediately to my mind, in thinking about things for which to be thankful, are:

• Taking a day in December and making a trip to visit Ben Powell. It was a delightful time and really was a lovely Christmas experience. The Christmas things that I normally do—dinner with neighbors and midnight church service—did not occur this year, but there was a beautiful white Christmas Eve and Day. Because of the weather, at about 4 o’clock on Christmas Eve I decided to stop delivering goody baskets (home canning, bread, and cheese) to people in the community and just enjoy a quiet Christmas. But my visit with Ben reminded me that we can be thankful for our blessings each and every day.
• The Loudon County Convenience Center and the shredding machine. With their help my garages and houses now have three fewer truckloads of generations of papers and records. Progress is being made.
• That the great white oak tree fell on my carports instead of on the house or garage. The mast crop was so prolific that the weight of the acorns brought it down. Its success in production was also its downfall!
• The beauty of the written word. Books and reading have long been my passion. Not having grown up with television and never having developed an interest in movies or social media, reading is my favorite thing to do. I have spent many hours with everything from nonfiction and biographies, light fiction, ancient literature and philosophy—and enjoyed them all.
• Discovered that food preservation, especially canning, never loses its fascination and provides me with many gifts to give during the year.
• USPS, UPS, and FedEx who faithfully bring packages to my door.
• Faith and fellowship and the ability to worship in many different ways and reach perhaps even more people using new technology. Whether church is in person, virtual, or in adaptive environments—as in drive-by wedding teas and showers—that sense of community is still alive and well.

Blessings on you all.
Ruth
Ruth Henderson McQueen