Michael & Mary Hanrahan

Email : mary@maryhanrahan website www.maryhanrahan.com

Once upon a time there was 2002, thank goodness that it is almost over, not the worst of years but certainly not the best of years. So what did happen in 2002, well January past by, Mick had his 50^th birthday without the major celebration he felt should accompany it, for mine next birthday I going to start counting in reverse, so that should solve any celebration problems. In February I tripped over some items on the carport floor and broke my right ankle. This was very distressing as I had to have surgery and have a plate inserted and spent the following 10 weeks on crutches unable to drive. Thankfully, our neighbours and friends rallied around, taking me to the doctor’s office, going grocery shopping and even taking me to the arboretum, where I was pushed around in a wheel-chair! During this time Mick went on a business trip to Rome and managed some sight-seeing and even a week in jolly old England, and Shawn hit Calculus! I don’t think Shawn has recovered yet. We also had some very cold weather and deep freezes.

Spring came and I started physical therapy and learning to walk and drive again. Kathleen managed to get herself grounded right before her Birthday Party. Eventually Kathleen and Nigel had a joint party at the local swimming pool in August, yes it was that kind of year. Shawn came home from TAMS, and very late, started looking for summer work, he spent a few weeks helping a lady with her miniature dogs before getting sick and then severely ripping his leg open on July 4 night. The City Council eventually declared part of the Rockwall a Historic District, after many, many committee and council meeting some of which I attended on crutches (good for the sympathy vote?). Mick goes to Chicago and is appointed Technical Chair for one of the DSL Forum’s working groups. In the summer I agreed to be on the Bond Steering Committee, this is a local group that provide information to the public about local Bond Elections, a strange American phenomenon where electors vote whether or not to allow the council to raise the money to do the things it was elected to do. I finally submitted my American Citizenship application, and the INS cashed my cheque and wrote back that they would contact me with 540 days!! In August I had my fingerprints taken and in December I had an interview and passed the American Constitution and ability to speak and write English test. Now, I have to wait for the criminal background checks to be complete and then I can be sworn in.

Kathleen went to England for a month in the summer, she visited her Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. A great time was had by all, many thanks to those who put Kathleen up and entertained her. Let us know when you are coming to visit.

Nigel and the Rockwall High School Band on the Football Field at Half Time

Late August, and Mick is off to Prague, well he would have been if it hadn’t rained so much that they move the conference to London. He was very upset as he really wanted to visit Prague and well, he has been to London before. Shawn headed back off to TAMS, with instructions to study hard! Nigel went off to the High School and Kathleen started at Middle School, we no longer have anyone at the elementary School across the road although we find excuses to visit every now and again. And Mary started at Dallas Community College studying Interior Design.

The Bond Election comes, Shawn didn’t manage to vote, it was the day after his 18^th Birthday, the Citizens decide that roads are important but the recreation facilities and firestations are out. Shawn does manage to get registered in time for the November elections. Nigel plays in the Marching Band again and endeavours to keep up with all his school work and Scouts at the same time. We attend some football games and even work the concessions stand again, but not for homecoming game. Kathleen plays soccer at the local YMCA and Mick coaches the team as well as serving on the soccer committee. The front room and dinning room finally get their new wood floors completed and we move back in.

Shawn starts applying for colleges, in the summer we visited UT in Austin, Mary and Mick like it but Shawn is not so impressed, eventually he settles on Texas A&M, the application is in the decision is not yet back. Kathleen and Nigel take the SAT in December, those results are not back yet either, Nigel is applying to TAMS and Kathleen is taking it for the Duke Talent search.

Last week Mary and Shawn got their semester results, Mary made a 4.0 GPA (on one 3 hour course only) and Shawn did not quite get the grades he needed to return to TAMS, still he has some extenuating circumstances towards the end of the semester and he has asked for an exception, more waiting. So we are not sure where Shawn will be next month, just when we had decided how to re-arrange the rooms and create a new large family room. Now we have just bought a color printer so we can send you the latest photos of us, unfortunately the digital camera bit the dust before the printer made it out of the box!

Mary, Kathleen & Shawn watch the cars go by Mick & Nigel play Pooh sticks in Austin