[Steve Viegas]

This is likely more information than you were looking for, but I thought I would pass this note on. Oct. 15 was the anniversary of my wife's passing and I had sent this note out...

You know, it amazes me how wonderful people have been. Not that I had any reason to expect otherwise, but still I am amazed. Like many of you, I watch the news, I read the Interwebs, bad things and tragedy abound. It is enough to make one wonder if people are good, or not. As you know, a year ago, tragedy struck our home. The whirlwind of good that was generated from this horrible event has assured me that people are good. Thank you all for that.

It has been a difficult time, made much easier through the love and caring that we have received from our friends and family. Deb was the COO of our household. She made sure everything happened. Starting twelve months ago, I received a village to make sure that everything happened. The kids are getting to school, the animals are getting cared for, the house is clean, and we are starting to approach our new normal.

Landon has started a new school this year. He is really doing well. It is the top rated public school in San Jose and Landon is fitting in just fine academically. He is not only crushing it academically, but he has started wrestling for Bret Harte Middle School as well. This will likely tie in well with one of Landon’s passions, Bok Fu Do.

As you know, Landon has been practicing martial arts for years. He takes it very seriously and has been promoted through the ranks. This past year Landon not only became a student instructor at the dojo, but he was invited to participate in the largest tournament in the US, and the qualifier for the US National team. Landon did well, but he learned what it was like to go from being a big fish in a small pond to being a small fish in a big pond. The beauty of this is that he will likely be invited back next year, and he will know what to expect.

Kayleigh is also participating in the same marital art. She does not take it as seriously as Landon, but she does enjoy the social aspect of it. Kayleigh also enjoys gymnastics. Once a week, grandma and grandpa take her to her class where she tumbles, cartwheels and flies around bars with all of the energy and enthusiasm that is sometimes considered wasted on the young.

When she is not exercising, Kayleigh is doing well in school. She is a task master and frequently finishes her assignments early. Recently she has been seen toting around Harry Potter books (800 plus pages) and her laptop computer. This combination likely explains why she placed so highly in California’s standardized testing. In all categories, Kayleigh placed at the top of the charts.

Both kids should be proud of their accomplishments. Through a difficult time, they have managed to shine. I am sure this brings a smile to Deb’s face as she realizes that she put them on a path to prepare them for life.

Work has treated me well especially when one considers that I started here only a few months before Deb’s passing. Similar to home, a village, known as my co-workers, came to my rescue. While work has proven to be a good distraction, all work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy or something…

While Mother Nature was not cooperative in letting us ski this past season, a favorite past-time of our household, we were able to fit in a few other trips. We spent a week in HI which was full of fun past-times. From seeing the sunrise at Haleakala, to zip lining, from snorkeling and deep sea fishing to gecko hunting and water slides, HI is great. It was a wonderful break from reality that we were able to enjoy with Gma and Gpa Viegas.

The previously mentioned martial arts tournament offered us another great diversion. The kids and I went to Baltimore for a five day weekend (almost sounds like a week) arriving on Thursday and leaving on Monday. We did not get to see much of Baltimore, but both Landon and Kayleigh were kept busy with watching or participating in the tournament, swimming, and exploring the gigantic convention center/hotel, etc. It was nice to spend time with such a large group of likeminded individuals and we look forward to doing it again.

In celebration of Deb’s life, Thursday, Oct. 15, I took the kids out of school, and then we, along with my folks and Deb’s folks all got together and visited Deb. It was very emotional and cathartic. Our group then drove down to Santa Cruz where we saw the Monarch butterfly migration. It was something that we would do as a family every year and something Deb really enjoyed. We followed the butterflies with a stop at the local tide pools. Note to self, next time this should be timed to avoid high-tide. We ended the day with an early dinner and dessert at two of Deb’s favorite spots in Santa Cruz. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

I know that to many of you, I have fallen off the face of the earth. I appreciate your understanding. Deb scheduled our lives and made room for everything to fit in. That is a skill I am working on developing… starting with getting a calendar. I look forward to doing a better job of staying in touch. I wish you all well and thank you again.