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Willson Writer Discovering Sunday Brunch

On June 15th, Brooke led his last two worship services at Providence Church, suffered through a very well-intended reception and gift-giving, surrendered his keys and files, and hung up his vestments in the back of the bedroom closet. Vicki had already led the way, retiring from Hallmark as of January 1. Since then, we have enjoyed sleeping late; exploring Sunday brunches when not visiting other peoples’ churches; evenings (and days) free; concerts, baseball, movies, and museums; dog- and babysitting; and sometimes doing absolutely nothing at all. Retirement sojourns so far have included Pennsylvania and West Virginia; a week at Nags Head with all the kids, grandkids, and dogs; and four trips to Camden Yards, every game of which the Orioles lost. Brooke rode his new “retirement bike” in three bike tours, in Delaware, in Richmond, and on the Eastern Shore of VA. Vicki continues to enjoy exercise at the pool and taking art classes at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and has been asked to submit one of her pastels for a student art show. Meanwhile, Brooke practices his house renovation skills. We’ve torn up the upstairs carpeting and replaced it with hardwood floors; the yard is slowly looking more cultivated; porch columns have been replaced and brickwork repointed. Contractors are coming soon to level the floors, after which we can repair the cracked plaster. After 61 years, Vicki has decided she’s tired of her defective and arthritic right hip, which will be replaced January 13th. Anterior surgery will mean a much quicker recovery time. Post-operative plans for 2015 include Orioles Spring Training in March, Paris (France, not Virginia or, God-forbid, Texas) in May, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, more bike tours, babysitting, and, of course, baseball. Retirement means we also have more time to entertain: we have lots of room, and we’d love you to visit and to stay with us. Just let us know!

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Ben Pours, Jams

Ben continues to work at Starbucks (from which he gives his parents a free bag of beans every week). He is also a very well-known presence on the Richmond music scene, playing keyboard and singing with two bands: Exebelle and the Rusted Cavalcade and Horsehead. He and song-writing partner Mark Strong have also sold a third song to a TV network – this time for the show The New Girl.

Look for some vocational changes from Ben in 2015: stay tuned!

The Willson Writer Christmastide 2014

Brantley and Sarah Step up

Effective fall semester 2014, our son-in-law is Assistant Professor of English and Religion Brantley Craig, at Wesley College in Dover, DE. After five years laboring in the wilderness of non-tenure, Brantley was offered a tenure-track position as a real, live, member of the faculty. We’re very proud of him and impressed by his top floor, corner office. Sarah has become a business owner, as she has opened Smyrna Massage and Wellness, a holistic health practice. Her clientele is growing slowly and steadily, and she’s created a beautiful and restful studio for her colleagues and clients. She knows her massage work well: now she’s navigating the byzantine world of business with her usual aplomb. Leo turned three in November and has mastered letters and numbers and reading. Now in preschool, when the teacher needs a moment she asks Leo to read to the class. Eliot celebrated his first birthday in April, and has a wide internal vocabulary expressed mostly with vigorous nods and shakes of his head.

Drew and Shea Now in his fourth year as pastor of Salem United Methodist Church, Drew has seen steady growth in the size and depth of his congregation. Salem is involved in some great mission to their local community and beyond, and it’s a wonderful place for Mom and Dad to visit on a regular basis. Drew continues to integrate his musical gifts with all aspects of his ministry. Shea continues to work with The Project on Lived Theology at UVa’s Department of Religious Studies, where she is moving into a new, more editorial position. She traveled a good deal this past year helping Prof. Charles Marsh promote his new biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Strange Glory. Kyrianne, four in June, began pre-school in August and enjoys it enormously. Big little brother Halley, one in May, goes to daycare several days a week and is very excited by lights, shoes, and cars.

Visit, Call, Email, or Facebook Us! Our address is still: 915 Francis Road Glen Allen, VA 23059 Vicki: victoriabwillson@yahoo.com 804-239-5897 (cell phone) Brooke: jbwillson@gmail.com 804-357-1091 (cell phone)