| Flexer Harrison Family News |
 |
|
| Well, the seder was a success. Why? because our family was there. Of course there was too much food (no need to double the recipes next time). Stephen Halper led the seder, using a children's haggadah, which was perfect, and everyone enjoyed themselves. We really were glad to play host, to show off life in Northern California. Riva was especially happy to have two of her brothers, Jack from Montreal and Will from Fort McMurray, their wives Deb and Gaylene, and the new (ish) babies, Jacob and Bernie. Bob and Anne came from Berkeley. the Vender-Halper-Ulmer contingent traveled up from Los Angeles, and, of course, Thelma and Ronnie were there. IIt was a real privelege to have everyone there. We had a chance to take Jack'n'Deb and Will'n'Gaylene to Napa, where we were brought back in time, to traveling with young children...!! Looking forward to a return trip. |
| June 2004 |
| Aaron started receiving University acceptances (and rejections) in March. He was finally accepted at CS Long Beach, UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz and at McGill University. The choice has been agonizing for him and even worse for his parents... Looks as though McGill University in Montreal is his destination for the 2004-2005 academic year. But first we have to hear the fat lady sing... Stephen has finally started to walk on his own two feet, and is working hard to regain use of his left foot and leg. The soccer season sings its siren song...he has taken the course for Coach level 'E' certification, and plans to coach in the autumn. He should be playing too! Madeleine has been training assiduously since early February, and had been participating in the BHS Varsity sprint team and pole vault group. She is coming to the end of the track season here in Northern California. She competed in the Tri-County JV Invitational in the Pole Vault (7'), 100m (12.75s) and 200m (27.87s) as well as the 4x100m. She has been moving up the competition ladder in the subsection trials and finals (Sac-Joaquin subsection) , where her Varsity level 4x100m relay team has made it to the CIF Sacramento-Joaquin Section Track and Field championships, to be held in Sacramento at Hughes Stadium on Thursday, May 27. Good luck Panthers! And Riva? Well, she's cycling across the Carquinez bridge, working hard in the garden, walking Lili who is 'coming' more reliably all the time, and hoping that the air will warm up and the wind will die down... |
|
|
| Riva participated in the Bay to Breakers Race 2004. No, she didn't run, she walked, all 7.5 miles of route through San Francisco. An honest-to-goodness mobile frat party (her first, really!) |
| We all attended Awards Night at Benicia High School. Aaron's 4.143 GPA means that he is a 'Principal's Scholar'. Unfortunately, he was ineligible for scholarships, but he did receive a certificate and a medal. CONGRATULATIONS! , |
| Spring 2004 |
|
| Benicia High School Graduation June 5, 2004 Where did the time go? We remember when Aaron was born, all the little milestones. Now he is finished high school, and triumphed in spite of the difficulties of moving away from Shawinigan. He has persevered and is the better for it. Destination? McGill!! |
| Summer 2004 |
| We will all remember this summer as the one that Massey Flexer spent two and a half months in the ICU at the Jewish General Hospital. She had bypass surgery coupled with an aortic valve replacement on June 18, and there were major complications. She was in a coma for nearly three weeks, and has been slowly fighting her way out since. Most of the tubes are gone now, but she is still working on breathing and swallowing. Will spent a week with her prior to the operation, and made flying trips back and forth (in spite of work and packing up the household and family to move to NFLD), in hope of seeing her conscious. Uncle Sidney came for a week, not knowing what he would find. Riva came for 8 days and stayed for 5 weeks, returning for another twelve days in August. On Massey's 75th birthday her friends organized a party for her. After everything, it was a small triumph. |
|
| Aaron arrived in Montreal on August 19, and moved into Molson Hall that weekend. GOOD LUCK! |
| On August 19, Will, Gaylene and Bernie flew out to their new life in St John's NFLD. They seem to really be enjoying LIFE ON THE ROCK. All the best! |
|
|
|
|
|
| In between all the to-ings and fro-ings, Riva made it to Yosemite and climbed Mt Dana - 13,056 ft. It's never too late to glissade, is it? Such a gas (or lack thereof...!! Stephen started playing the beautiful game again in August. Although he suffers, you will find him playing with the EBSSL Clayton Royal Oaks on Sunday, coaching the BYSL Gold & Black Attack three times a week and sometimes playing indoors on a Monday night... |
| PHOTOS |
| Autumn 2004/Winter 2005 |
| Autumn 2004 rushed past in a blur. Aaron flew off to McGill University, Stephen started playing soccer again, Madeleine started her sophomore year, and Riva had a terrible bicycle accident. No details on the latter until the insurance issues are completed! However, she is maintaining the website, going about her business and waiting for another bicycle. |
| Spring 2005 |
| Madeleine has started the 2005 track and field season with a bang. Her 4x100m Varsity Girls' relay team has qualified for the Stanford Run. GO MADELEINE It's Hamantashen time again and Alec, Anni and Massey have been very busy. Hopefully they will send their largesse out across the continent to points east and west! |