From Seattle With Love: Holiday Letter 2013

"We are not born simply for the sake of personal survival. We are here to make life better for everyone."

--Joan Chittister, The Monastic Way, Dec 2013

Dec 24, 2013

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest!

After a drier, and warmer than usual, fall, Seattle did experience a sprinkling of snow last week, but it melted as quick as it came. The mountains in the distance look very white so I comfort myself knowing I can always travel to snow-laden destinations if the mood calls me.

L to R: Patrick, Chip, and Jack
post New Year Polar Dip

2013 began with an annual ritual friends and I adopted over a decade ago: a trip on New Years Day morning down to Lake Washington for a polar bear dip. This time friends Chip and Patrick accompanied me. Chip and I dove into the water and howled while Patrick recorded it on film.  It was sunny and bright for a third year in a row, which I always view as a good harbinger.

Then came India in late February. I joined my friend Jenny and three other couples back East for a twelve-day excursion to the Golden Triangle region: New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, or the Pink City as it's called. Glorious weather greeted us, as did curious monkeys near the Indian Parliament! The adventures only got better as we beheld the unforgettable Taj Mahal one stormy morning, toured ancient mosques and temples, dined on delicious Indian cuisine, observed sacred cows perched on street corners, and glided on glorious, costumed elephants. We enjoyed an extended visit in New Delhi at a bed and breakfast while new friend Arnab shared a personal perspective on his native city over three full days.

Jenny and Jack in Awe at the Taj Mahal, India 2013

In June, I marked 50 with my Bond, James Bond birthday celebration in Pioneer Square. Friends I made when I first touched down in Seattle in 1986 mixed and mingled with classmates from my graduate school days in the 90’s along with my swimming, singing, and work friends of today. We danced the night away, and everyone embraced the specialty drink, Pussy Galore. I was happy, and the good feelings and memories of that night lasted the whole year through. I am a lucky man to have such good people in my life who love and support me.

Bond Birthday in June: Chris Nilson, Ellen Stearns
 Hubert Locke, Me, and Suzanne Wolfe Nilson

Summertime brought open water swimming in Lake Washington and my swim team’s hosting IGLA, the International Gay and Lesbian Aquatic championships. While I didn’t compete in any of the heats, I did participate in the one-mile open water swim off Mercer Island, east of Seattle. It was a glorious morning, and I received a third place medal in my age group completing my swim with a time of 32 minutes, 29 seconds. I also made a new friend John, from Canada, during the competition. He returned to Seattle again in early October, and I look forward to visiting him in his native Edmonton next spring. 

Post Swim Meet, John and Jack Ride the Seattle Ferry

In late July I attended the three-day Pacific NW Writers Conference in Seattle. I pitched my book R.J., Farrah, and Me: A Young Man's Gay Odyssey from the Inside Out to a gaggle of agents and editors. Eight of them gave me their business cards inviting me to send them a portion of the book or in several cases the entire manuscript. I forwarded material to one editor and one agent; no word at press time whether they are going to make me a deal. In the meantime I continue to edit and revise my manuscript. I couldn’t accomplish what I have without the support and encouragement of fellow writers Elizabeth and Anne, who are inspirations in their own right.

Reclining in Hammock,
Summer of Solitude

I’ve spent a lot of time in solitude this year, maybe a result of reaching the half-century mark. I like myself, enjoy my work as a fundraiser and development manager, but continue asking the big questions. Where am I being called, and what innate talents of mine are seeking expression? I continue to feel that my interest in community building, spiritual development, and creative expression will lead me in new directions. I practice yoga and meditation each morning, explore my interest in Tantra, and in October traveled to Palisades, a retreat center on the Puget Sound for a three-day silent retreat sponsored by the Jesuit-led Seattle University. I still attend church at my neighborhood parish St. Joseph’s, even though I’m an irregular congregant. And I love the new pope, Francis. He gives me hope, the new pope does.

As the year comes to a close, I’m preparing to travel with my best friend in Seattle, Kevin, to join my Hilovsky cousins Marty and Barb and their families, for a cruise to the western Caribbean. We will visit Roatan off the coast of Honduras and snorkel/scuba, then on to Belize for a cave-tubing/zip line adventure, and from there sail to the Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, for more exploration. I’m excited to be with my family, especially after the loss of my beloved “Aunt” Re-Re, who died on December 8 at the ripe age of 94. Time is short, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity to enjoy it with those whom I hold close. I am so grateful for my "blood" relatives and the adopted family I've created here in Seattle. And I am grateful for you.

May the blessings of the season be yours, and continue through 2014.

Love,

Jack