Happy New Year 2006!

To follow tradition started last year
Steph’s writing a poem to friends far and near.
But this year is different than any before
She’s not the sole author—there is one more!
Together we’ll tell the story and tale
Of how we began to travel this trail.

Last January to start the new year,
We went winter camping without any fear.
With two other friends to the canyon we went
Out in the snow without even a tent.

It’d been twelve months since our friendship began,
But Steph had no clue he was a mountain man.
She was impressed so she gave him a try,
Not knowing before he was her type of guy.
She still had her doubts that he’d give her a chance,
Especially not to start a romance.

April is when Steph got her degree,
Then had to decide just what she would be.
New York had a job for her at a school,
But leaving this boy would make her a fool.

We both went to work at RedCliff Ascent.
In pine trees and sage brush the summer we spent.
We worked with the kids in gangs and on drugs
And hiked them through rain and snow, sun and bugs.

Ever since April we had been a pair;
Time not together was seldom and rare.
Once the love starts, from there it just grows.
July was the month that Mike would propose.
It wasn’t for long that he had to court.
Engagement was great, but thankfully short.

In August we married, moved into our home
A cute little cottage built for a gnome
Not so impressive in size, we’ll admit,
But homey—to start off we’ll make do with it.

Steph teaches English at a school for adults
She’s good, so it doesn’t take long for results.
They’re learning to speak, to read and to write
Their prospects are brighter, they see with delight.

Mike goes to classes to get his degree,
In only twelve months a graduate he’ll be.
He fixes computer to help pay the rent
He doesn’t make much, but at least he’s content.

It’s been four months now, as husband and wife;
We feel very blessed with a wonderful life.
Our next adventure will take us away—
Quetzaltenango is where we will stay.
(That’s in Guatemala, to our mothers’ dismay)
It must be finished before Mike can grad.
A semester abroad, he has not had.

We had many options from which to decide,
But volunteer work was where we applied.
We’ll offer a workshop ‘bout starting careers,
So students can better their upcoming years.
We’ll teach self-employment and interview skills
Then they’ll feed their families and pay all their bills.

We want to keep contact so this is the plan:
We’ll soon have a web site and log on you can.
We will post updates and give the account
Of all our adventures—and pictures we’ll mount.
We’re glad for your friendship and wish you the best.
May you have joy and your family be blessed.