Heather’s 2023 “Year in REVIEW”

2023 was another year full of changes. In early May, my 13 year old cat Samson passed away suddenly due to congestive heart failure. His heart was just too big for this world! Read more about Samson here.

While I miss him SO much, late this summer I adopted 2 adorable kittens born in April to keep Delilah and I company. Adopting them was without a doubt the best thing I did in 2023! They’re now 7 months old: the white one with orange face & tail (a flame point Siamese) is Julius and his sister Juniper “Junie” is a tortie. They’re total love bugs but full of chaotic kitten antics and always keep me on my toes!

The kittens are always getting into trouble and love to steal my food, even recently grabbing a bagel right out of the toaster and eating it when I wasn’t looking! Julius also seems to enjoy water, and loves to get in the kitchen sink - he even sticks his paws down the drain to try and pull out something! What a strange kitty he is! Junie is also quite a character, she loves to carry her toys around the house and jump on my back or shoulders (sometimes when I’m not looking, which is always a surprise to me!) Despite all the mischief, they’re a ton of fun and so sweet & cuddly too! If you’re in town, come visit so you can meet them!

My health remains about the same but I continue to get amazing care at Stanford which is the main reason I stay living in the Bay Area. My infusion nurses who I see weekly take the best care of me and have become like family to me - they even got me flowers and cake on my birthday!!

I was able to travel a little this year. I attended an art retreat in Washington this summer, and to get there, I took a mini road trip with my Mom. We stopped in Portland on our way where we visited our favorites, Powells Books and a few coffee and donut shops, and we finally visited the amazingly beautiful rose garden for the first time!

The art retreat was amazing. It was held at the artist’s beautiful artsy painted house right off the water with stunning views - such an inspiring place to paint! We stayed in a cozy little house on a lake with a gorgeous view! I had so much fun, learned a lot, and made new friends!

I also attended a Convention in Washington for one of the nonprofits I do volunteer work with where I was able to meet up and spend time with friends I spend many hours working with over Zoom!!

I continue to spend my free time volunteering for a few nonprofits where I’m able to keep up my legal skills a little working on contracts, employment law issues, and much more pro bono! It keeps me engaged and learning, which I need in between the countless hours I spend on my (more than) full-time job as a “professional patient.”

When my health permits, I still like to tend to my plants and garden, take virtual French pastry baking classes, and paint & do other crafts, like my newest- rug hooking - which I’m learning from my Mom - an expert hooker ;)

This year a friend encouraged my Mom and I to do an art show with her, so I had my paintings and other crafts, like wreaths on display and for sale! It was nice getting positive feedback and even selling some of my art! But it was a lot of work, so I’m not sure it’s something I would do often - but I’m glad I did it!

I still live in Campbell and really like it  (it helps living next door to the best restaurant in town! Hit me up if you want some good Italian!) Since my brother Dan and Helen live close in San Jose, we’re able to get together often, and living near them is another thing keeping me here in the Bay Area!

Sending all my love to everyone and wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season!! Also wishing you all a very Happy New Year - I hope your 2024 is full of love and laughter! Thank you for being a part of my life! I hope to see you in 2024!

xoxo Heather & the kitties, Delilah, Julius & Junie!

Check out more pictures from 2023, mostly of the kittens, here!

And read more about Samson, and see some pictures from his life, here.