Chatkupt Lee Family

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Family Update, Winter 2021

Dear Friends and Family,

If you’re reading this, then you must have received our holiday postcard and want to know more about what our family has been up to this past year. We used to include short summaries in our holiday cards, but this year we decided to send postcards in order to save paper. So this blog is our way to fill you in about what we were up to in 2021 while being more environmentally more mindful.

The year kicked off at our newly acquired vacation rental, which has been such a gift during the pandemic. You would not believe how lucky we were that this find landed in our laps! We closed on it the day before Thanksgiving last year, and have been able to visit it every month since. Nested among trees at the foot of Mt. Hood and a short walk from a salmon restoration habitat along the Sandy River, our getaway home is a place where we can escape the business of everyday life, though it is only an hour away from Portland.

Josie started their senior year of high school this fall. After a year of remote learning, Jo had mixed feelings about attending school in person, but has made the most of it. They are still enjoying Jazz Ensemble, which is a nice balance to the rigors of the International Baccalaureate program, for which Josie is a candidate for the full IB diploma. Over the summer, Josie was working for a local chain of car tire retailers, but later started working at Rose City Coffee Company doing various miscellaneous jobs.

Having spent the first half of the year working prep for Seasweets Poke, Gabe began his training to be a paramedic through Auckland University of Technology‘s Bachelor’s of Health Sciences program. Unfortunately, New Zealand is not open to foreign students, so he is completing his courses online. Knowing how to make lemonade out of lemons, Gabe moved to western Massachusetts with his girlfriend Anna. When he is not in school, he is working as a line cook at Fitzwilly’s a Northampton establishment.

Sharon continues to practice emotionally focused therapy for couples, though as a certified supervisor and trainer, most of her work is actually comprised of supervising EFT therapist or providing training opportunities. The Portland Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy has grown from a one-woman show to a community of therapists dedicated to providing excellence in EFT in Portland. Sharon’s professional highlights of the past year have been focused on interrogating and dismantling oppressive practices that have been embedded in psychotherapy. Sharon has been working from home ever since the start of the pandemic. In August, she finally gave up her office in SW Portland, her professional home for 12 years.

After 15 years as a laboratory animal veterinarian at Oregon Health & Science University, Tom made a major career move in July and joined Cayuse LLC, a Portland-based software company that develops research administration software solutions. As Director of Customer Delivery at Cayuse, Tom is overall responsible for the success of Professional Services Consultants, who work to configure and implement the software applications. While a rather big departure from veterinary medicine, Tom’s has been able to leverage his management, analytic, and strategic planning skills in this position.

Family Update, Winter 2023

2023 was another big year for the family. A lot of comings and goings this year, with only a few short weeks during which the four of us were all together. There’s a fair amount to catch up on, so feel free to just skip to the photo galleries linked on the home page if you’re not in a reading mood.

Gabe and Jo returned from New Zealand in early January – Gabe on summer break from school at Auckland University of Technology; Jo after a 2-month trip to visit Gabe, do a WorkAway working holiday, and tour kiwi country. Our family reunion was short-lived, because Gabe had to return to AUT in early February to resume his studies to earn a Bachelor of Health Science, Paramedicine Major. Gabe has really found a passion in his studies. His favorite course this past year was cardiology. He has also enjoyed his clinical placements, which entail ambulance rides to shadow EMTs and paramedics. When not studying, Gabe blows off steam by skating, spending time with his girlfriend Anna, and hanging with his circle of friends.

Soon after Gabe left for New Zealand, Jo headed out on a 4-month solo tour of southern Europe. Jo’s travel was centered around backpacking, hostels, and WorkAway engagements. Their travels began in Portugal, and they were planning travel to Spain, Italy, and Greece. They met friends along the way, of course, and as a result of these friendships, they made some impromptu side jaunts to Tenerife (Canary Islands) and Austria. Their travels concluded with a 4-week stay in Albania.

Summer was a time of reunion, as Jo was home preparing for college and Gabe returned again for a few weeks in between semesters. We took a week-long trip at Deer Lake, Whidbey Island, Washington, where we relaxed, paddled, and fished. Tom also managed to steal a bit of additional time with Gabe and Jo, squeezing in a camping trip to Lost Lake with Gabe and a day hike to Lower Twin Lake with Jo.

Before we knew it, it was time to take Jo to college. They started their first year at Warren Wilson College near Asheville, North Carolina. Tucked away in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this undergraduate campus of 800 students distinguishes itself from other 4-year colleges by incorporating on-campus work as well as community engagement into students’ college experiences; Jo participates in the CORE work crew. At WWC, Jo quickly found their people, whom Sharon and Tom were privileged to meet when they both visited Jo during Family Weekend.

Having both kids out of the house turned out to be a mixed blessing. While it was sad to find the house so empty and quiet much of the time, this also meant a chance to pursue new opportunities. Sharon saw her last client in June, and has since been on a much-needed sabbatical. She is currently working on several writing projects, including her memoir, and is engaging in other forms of creative expression, including painting and ceramics.

Tom’s relief veterinary practice has been a success. There is a big demand for his services, and he is as busy as he wants to be. Moreover, Tom is finding meaning and connection in his work, with moments of joy in every day, whether it be kisses from a dog, purrs from a cat, or gratitude from a person. Tom also took a week-long “pay-cation” on the Oregon Coast, seeing patients during the day, then enjoying the beach in the afternoon and evening. This provided an opportunity for Sharon to move her writing desk to the beach with Huckleberry which was lovely. You can be sure there will be more of those next year!

Tom and Sharon began spending more time at their rental cabin in Brightwood, on Wy’East (Mt. Hood). Only an hour from Portland, and a 5-minute walk to the Sandy River, the cabin has been a continuous haven where both of us find peace, restoration, and joy among the trees, the birds, and the water. We also were able to spend a little time in our camper van, Indigo, with short trips to the Oregon Coast as well as around the Olympic Peninsula. The highlight of our travels, however was a 3-week trip to New Zealand to visit Gabe. In addition to spending time in Auckland at the beginning and end of the trip, we took him on a 2-week road trip around the South Island. Words cannot describe the beauty of the country; check out the photo gallery to see for yourself.

As the days gradually grow longer and we look toward 2024, Sharon and Tom are blessed to have had children who have grown to become such adventurous, kind, and generous people. We are also fortunate to have loving friends and family. May the next year bring you joy and prosperity.

Family Update, Winter 2022

Welcome, Family and Friends, to our yearly update. 2022 has been a momentous year for the entire family. We headed into the year with a lot to look forward to. Little did we know that this year would be fraught with losses and setbacks as well.

Gabe returned to Northampton in January to live with his girlfriend Anna as she completed her last year at Smith College. Gabe started his second semester at Auckland University of Technology‘s Bachelors of Health Sciences program, where he is studying to be a paramedic. He also continued to work for Fitzwilly’s to earn extra spending money. After Anna’s graduation, the pair returned to Portland in time for Jo’s high school graduation and to prepare for the long-awaited trip to Auckland, as New Zealand opened its borders in the spring. In July, Gabe finally began school in person at AUT; he has found his passion for learning and has excelled in his coursework. Gabe also enjoyed his clinical placements, riding around with professional paramedics and EMTs. Gabe and Anna made the decision to purchase a car to enhance their quality of life; a week into ownership, however, their car was stolen and was a deemed a total loss when it was recovered. Fortunately, insurance paid out, they were able to get a new, better vehicle. The timing worked out perfectly with Jo’s arrival in November.

Jo kicked off 2022 eager to finish out their senior year at Cleveland High School. Jo continued to play upright bass in the Jazz Ensemble, which excelled in scholastic competitions this year and was a contender for the top spot in the state. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans for the band, and they ended up having to forfeit their performance at State because key band members were unable to perform. The spring, however, brought with it Prom Season, and Jo was able to attend with their significant other Arly. Jo’s school year culminated with graduation in June. We played host to a number of family members and got to watch Jo walk at Providence Park. In addition to earning an International Baccalaureate diploma, Jo was also a Valedictorian and received an award for outstanding achievement in Social Studies. Jo returned to Rose City Coffee Company this summer, this time as Barista and, at times, Shift Leader. When all of their friends headed off to college in the fall, Jo and Tom did a little camping at Clear Lake. Jo spent weekends in October taking wilderness skills courses and visiting friends in Washington before heading off to New Zealand to visit Gabe and start a Workaway placement.

This year has been particularly tumultuous for Sharon. In late February, her commitment to bringing racial equity and social justice to emotionally focused therapy collided with her professional association’s lack of vision. As a result, they terminated her status as a certified trainer. Then on February 26, Sharon’s stepmother, Marilyn, passed away from complications of pneumonia. Marilyn had been in and out of the hospital, so while her passing was sad, it was not unexpected; her obituary was published in the Kansas City Star. Sharon, Tom, and Gabe made the trip to Missouri in March to attend her memorial in Kansas City, then Sharon and Tom went on to the family farm in the Ozarks for a family service. Sharon’s therapy and supervision practice continues to thrive, even while she reconfigures her training life. While the majority of her work is still out of the home office, she is beginning to see some clients in person. Sharon has really taken to ceramics. She regularly brings home mugs and bowls from the studio where she takes classes. Sharon is planning a sabbatical from work that will start this summer. She hopes to spend a lot of time in nature and making art as a reset for the next chapter of life.

Tom spent most of the year working from home for Cayuse. In his free time, he pursued his hobbies of bouldering, fishing, and singing with Rock Voices, a community rock choir. Realizing that software was not his passion, he began thinking about his transition plan. He took inspiration from a chance encounter with a former colleague from his private practice days, and decided to go into business for himself as a relief veterinarian. In November, he launched TLC Relief and Consulting LLC. So far business is good. Tom gets to set his own schedule and is proud to support so many vet clinics that practice quality medicine.

COVID took its toll on the family in 2022. Sharon took ill shortly after Jo’s graduation. Gabe got COVID right before he was supposed to start his first day of classes in person at AUT. And Jo came down with COVID as soon as they arrived in Auckland. All had only mild cases, however, and made full recoveries.

While the year was peppered with setbacks and losses, there was also a lot to be grateful for and to celebrate. Besides during Jo’s graduation, we were able to spend time with different friends and family when they came to visit. We had many wonderful weekends at our cabin on Wy’East (the Multnomah people’s name for Mt. Hood). In the spring, Sharon and Jo took a spring break trip to Arizona. Sharon and Tom took Jo and Arly to Grand Teton National Park in July. Gabe and Jo each went with their significant others to Mexico. And even though Gabe and Jo are in New Zealand through the end of the year, we still keep in touch frequently thanks to the Internet.

We are looking forward to 2023. Gabe and Jo return in mid-January to spend a few weeks at home before Gabe goes back to New Zealand for school and Jo heads off to Europe for more gap year travels. Sharon and Tom recently acquired a camper van, which they were only able to take out a few times in 2022; they are looking forward to more camping adventures next year. We are hoping to have some family time in June when Gabe returns for his mid year break. Jo starts their freshman year at Warren Wilson College in the fall. And in December, the family hopes to head down to New Zealand to visit Gabe and see the sights.

Sorry for the long post, but as you can see, it really was a momentous year for all of us. We wish you a happy holiday season, and hope the coming year brings you peace and fulfillment.