A New Year, New Adventures

 This summer MissBettytheMom visited me (Mark's sister) in Asia, and while she was here, we went through some nursing scholarship applications from her Rotary Club. The applications were from some incredible nursing students, for whom the scholarship (the monthly coffee budget for some folks) would be life changing. Some of the students were from single-parent households and were helping support the family, while others were changing their life around after some catastrophic event. All were really on top of their academics and all volunteered in the community. It was hard to choose! 

In the end, we had just enough candidates for the scholarships available, and then there was one more candidate who was outstanding, and whom I felt Mark would have really liked. She has that adventurous spirit. Mom agreed, and declared that this candidate would receive a scholarship from Mark's fund. Serendipity! 

In case you don't know, my mom has set up a charitable fund in Mark's name. In the past, it has set up classrooms and a library for a school in Mexico, provided used computers for the school. I love that it is now tied in to supporting aspiring medical personnel, since Mark was a respiratory therapist. 

If you would like to donate to Mark's fund, send a check (yep, old school, enjoy the nostalgia) to 
Central Texas Rotary e-club c/o Kent Bohls PO Box R, Bastrop Tx 78602. Write in the "for" line that it is for Mark's memorial fund. Mom is back visiting me for the Christmas/New Year season, and we've been trekking around Turkiye - seeing all the archaeology we can, despite the cold and rain. It's important to spend time with loved ones while they are here, and to see what you want to see while you can. Mark would have enjoyed this trip - we've met new friends and seen old friends, as well.