Last updated on December 23, 2021
As I reflect back on the year 2021, I’m struck with how much change our family has experienced. Change isn’t necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. But it’s a thing. Of the four of us, I’m pretty sure I was the one with the most boring year, but as I get older, I find that I’m perfectly ok with that! Here’s a month by month snapshot of the Grisham’s 2021.
In January we celebrated fifteen years in Memphis! Mandy and Micah returned to in-person school after a semester of virtual. Adam continued to be virtual for the spring semester.
In February Mandy and I celebrated our 25th Valentine’s Day together. Adam bought his first vehicle (from my dad). And we experienced a lot of snow and cold temps. The snow meant lots of fun. The cold meant frozen pipes at our house and at several of my rentals.
In March Mandy and I got fully vaccinated. The four of us, plus our dog Bella, spent a week hiking in Robbinsville, NC. Adam took on a personal service project and raised $1000 for St. Jude. And in the first of many big changes, Mandy found out that her contract at her school was not being renewed. It was a huge blow. One week later she had two great job offers.
In April Mandy’s Granny passed away. We were able to spend a few days celebrating a life well lived with her family in Missouri.
In May Mandy accepted the job as executive pastor at our church, Christ City Church. She and Micah finished up their time at New Hope Christian Academy. And Adam’s soccer team at East High won the West TN championship and got to go to the state tournament in Murfreesboro.
In June Mandy started her new job. Adam turned 16 and got his driver’s license. Micah turned 13. They both got fully vaccinated. And Mandy and I celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary by spending a week in Playa del Carmen. While there a tree fell on one of our rentals, so part of a couple of days was spent dealing with that. Now that Adam could drive and had a truck that could haul his lawnmower, he was able to add clients to his thriving lawn care business.
In July our family spent two weeks exploring Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and Boulder, CO. I wrapped up my first but definitely not last new construction project, and I also purchased my 20th rental property. Adam bought his first electric guitar and plays everyday. He, Micah and I take turns on the piano daily as well.
August marked the first time in her career that Mandy wasn’t going back to school. The boys were hoping that would apply to them as well, but alas, they were back at it. Adam started his junior year at East High, finally in-person, and Micah began 7th grade at a new school, St. George’s Independent School. Transition is hard, especially at that age, but Micah has done great.
It seems that we end up doing one big project at our house each year, and that was true this year. In September we landscaped our backyard. We love the results! My sister Taylor and I also took a road trip to Mountain View to hang with Dad, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mandy and I are serving on the Memphis Young Life committee and are excited to see a new club started at Adam’s high school this fall. Mandy is also serving as the school’s PTO President. She led the initiative to raise $11k for the school in their annual support drive.
In October Adam and Mandy visited colleges across Tennessee. A week later Mandy and I took a trip to her favorite place in the world, Bar Harbor, Maine for fun hiking in beautiful foliage. Mandy found out that she had skin cancer on her forehead. It was removed and everything is ok.
November will forever be marked by Mandy’s SCAD heart attack. It’s been three weeks since this happened, but it feels like a much longer period of time. We met with her cardiologist this week. He decreased her medications, and her energy is beginning to increase. She begins cardiac rehab this week and looks forward to a full recovery. Micah joined the swim team at St. George’s earlier in the fall, and he began swim meets in November. He took first place in the 50 meter butterfly during his first meet!
It’s the beginning of December, and as we make our way towards the end of the year, we’re looking forward to a bit of a slower pace. With everything that’s gone on, we’re taking each day as a gift, grateful for God’s provision and protection throughout the year. We wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!
