Christmas 2017 — Patti Part Two

I’m posting my annual Christmas letter online - so here goes!

Dearest Family, Friends and Readers,

2017 was a really great year but boy did it fly by! I just turned 62 (gulp!), but don’t they say 60 is the new 40?? I’m going with that! My family is all fine - healthy, busy and happy. Tom continues to live in Brooklyn and enjoy New York City. He works in Manhattan and it’s an easy commute. He has a nice spacious (for NYC) apartment on a pretty quiet street but close to lots of great restaurants and coffee shops. Keeley and Matt are in Seattle and enjoying all that great city has to offer. Matt went back to school full time this fall to become a computer coder and it’s intense! But the end is in sight and he should be able to get a great job with his new skills. Keeley is heading up the accounting department at Offer Up and that has given her lots of opportunities in areas she wouldn’t get at a bigger company. I’ve been fortunate this year to see them all quite a few times - either me visiting or them back here for various things. One of those things was the passing away of my dear Dad on Sept 29th. He almost made it to 91. We are so fortunate to have had him all these years but that doesn’t make it easier. I miss him everyday, but know he’s with mom in a better place.

There were lots of fun trips this year. Running trips with fellow running friends to Phoenix in January and Indianapolis in November. Girlfriend trips to Asheville, NC and Lake Tahoe, two places that I had never been. I loved them both! Big trip to the island of Kauai via a few days in Seattle with Keeley & Matt, Tom and his girlfriend Anna, my niece Angela and myself. What a gorgeous slice of heaven that was!! We had a blast and will never forget the great memories made there.

My adventure of the year was a 7 day hike to Machu Picchu on the Salkantay Trail in Peru with my good friend Julie Sullivan. We were in Peru for a total of 12 days so spent a few days prior to starting the hike in Cuzco to acclimate to the altitude. It was fantastic and the most challenging physical thing I have ever done. If you are interested in reading more detail about the trip just scroll back on the blog. I would go back and do it again if there weren’t so many other places I wanted to see!

My nephew Cam Brate plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers so a group of family headed to Tampa for the last weekend of October to watch him play the Carolina Panthers. He pulled strings to give us all VIP treatment from start to finish - pregame field passes, great Club seats and the VIP area post game - thanks Cam!

Back row left to right - cousins Jack, Susan and John Brate. Brothers Tom and Dave, sister-in-law Pat and brother Phil. Middle - sister-in-law Tracy. Front row - Keeley, niece Angela and me. Lots of #84 Brate jerseys!

Last trip of the year was New York City for me over Thanksgiving to visit Tom. We had a blast and even took in the Macy’s Day Parade. I was a lot more excited then Tom about that but he was a good sport. Anna’s mom Kim was visiting as well so the four of us had a great time. More info on the blog if you want to read more detail.

Radio City Music Hall with Kim, Anna and Tom.

There is lots more travel planned for me in 2018 since I will be retiring on January 1st and taking a Gap year. A Gap year you ask??? I thought that was what 18 years old did before heading to college. Correct and since I didn’t do it then why not now? I’ll be blogging about every adventure so check back in or be notified when I post by clicking on the Subscribe link at the top and entering your email. Patti Part Two or Where in the world is Patti?? The journey continues! I hope 2017 has been a great year for you as well, and wishing you continued happiness in 2018!!