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2016 Annual History
of Jayms "Jym" Andris and Stephen Nichols

(Pictures at the bottom.) (This is a first draft. Check back in a few days.)

We started off the year in sadness, and much of the year has been a year of struggle and transition. Still we resolutely endure. Our beloved cat, Midas, took sick a few days before Christmas, and died the day after Christmas. He was 15. We keep his ashes alongside our other treasured pets, Leonard Catkin and our dogs, Wink and Molly. Midas had a Facebook page and there are many good photos of him there. But I have pronounced that Midas was the last indoor or outdoor pet we are to have for the forseeable future.

Which brings up the fact that sometime in the next one to two years, Stephen and I are making a sharp right turn. We want to sell the house and are exploring retirement communities near here where some forms of assisted living are available. As I am nearing 80 (in two years), I realize that I need to let go of this lifestyle and downsize. I don't want to leave a pile of junk for someone else (Stephanie) to get rid of when I pass that way. Better not to say more, and check back in with a full report in 2017.

Our old friends continue to leave us, and yet we seem to have adapted to being "in the front row," as our dear friend, Rosanda, says. Rosanda and I talk on the phone nearly every day to make a few jokes together and continue our 45 year tradition of gossip and planning to improve a sorely broken world. Rosanda and Stephen have been working to improve me for years, but, alas, they lack my exquisite fortitude and scintillating will power. Neighbor and Trinity Church member, Rip van Winkle, moved to Illinois to live with his younger brother. No more concerts and dinners with Rip.

As you may recall from past letters, I have been doing research and writing for the St. Louis LGBT History Project for several years now. The project director, Steve Brawley, has published a neat annotated picture book through Arcadia, Images of American: Gay and Lesbian St. Louis. Hundreds have contributed artifacts and documents to the project. I worked with Jim Pfaff to digitize many of his pictures of early Pride marches here, and have written perhaps 20 articles on the origins of Pride in St. Louis. So quite a few of Jim's pictures, and some of my opinions have made it in to this remarkable compendium. I am working to complete a detailed history of the year 1977 in St. Louis as it relates to the LGBT community here. That resulted from the Missouri History Museum presenting a panel discussion of an important event in 1977.

In April, a five year ordeal for Stephen was somewhat resolved. We cannot speak of the details, but Stephen was living with a defective hip prosthesis that was slowly failing and releasing bad chemicals into his body. But Dr. Denis Nam was able to successfully remove and replace elements of the prosthesis, so that Stephen's life is no longer threatened. Even though Stephen is living with quite a bit of disability, he is relieved that the situation is somewhat improved. We don't let that slow us down much, however, and we have a transport chair that he uses for longer distances. One of the advantages of eventually living on one floor is that he will be able to have an electric wheel chair for longer distances.

This year has also been for me one of exploration of the trans community in St. Louis. I can't say a lot about it here because that is not the major focus of my life, but I did write an extensive blog piece on the subject. If you have further interest, you can read that article here. I did also write quite a few blog posts on various topics this year. Writing has been a part of my adult life for so long, I guess I just don't want to give it up. The whole blog is called For Lack of a Better Wor(l)d.

This summer our grandson, Zander (Alexander), was selected to spend a week studying at the London Ballet. He traveled with his moms, Stephanie and Dawn, but had to be at the camp for a week by himself, while Stephanie and Dawn got to see some sights and try London cuisine. This was quite an accomplishment for a 10 year old, and after only a day of some uncertanty, he completed the camp with his usual determination and focus. Once again he is performing three separate roles in The Nutcracker for the Southshore Ballet Theatre in Hanover, Massachusetts.

We are blessed to continue enjoying art and music through three main avenues: we still hold season tickets to Opera Theatre St. Louis in June and to the Repertory Theatre St. Louis througout the year. We also avidly participate in the Film and Fellowship group at our church, Trinity Episcopal, and see and discuss about a dozen and a half important films throughout the year. Stephen is still singing in Trinity's choir with the able assistance of his pew mates, especially Karen Biggs. Choir practice is on Wednesday evening and performance at the 10:30 service on Sunday. I continue to do altar, sacristy and usher service.

A few months ago I added another Trinity service to my list. Fr. Jon invited me and several others to begin recording the Daily Office—Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline—and uploading it to Trinity's website. I've been doing the Thursday prayers, and I listen in on various other days. If you would like to experience this, the website is at Daily Prayer at Trinity.

Stephanie and Dawn had been caring for Stephanie's ailing mother, Harriet Crowley Nichols, for quite a few years now. In September we got word that Harriet had died, and we went to Massachusetts for the funeral. So often funerals are also family reunions of some sort, and so Stephen and I got to again be with Dawn's very supportive family, her father, two sisters and a brother, all with families of their own. We stayed at the old farmhouse where they live. Unfortunately, Stephen became quite ill with the flu, and we left a day early. We're now looking forward to their visit to St. Louis next February.

I want to avoid negativity in this letter, but most of you probably surmise that Stephen and I were distressed by the election of Donald Trump and the fact that the Republican Party, which is hostile to LGTB Americans, controls Congress. For my part, I have resolved to continue to align myself with organizations and causes that are non-violent, inclusive, and pro-science. I also have resolved to stay in communication with friends and family far and near.

We'll be spending part of our Christmas Day with Kate and Julien Worland, who have kindly invited us to share many of their holiday dinners with them and their other guests. We always have a fun time.

Dear friends, have a very Happy Holiday, whether it be a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukka or acknowledging the Winter Solstice.

Love,

Jim and Stephen

The year 2016 in pictures

(As usual, clicking on any image enlarges it. Click the back button to return to the letter.)

Wednesday Night choir rehearsal at Trinity Episcopal	Alice and Fr. Jon Stratton at Eastertide
Big brunch with Stephen and brother Tom	Ron and Rip join us at the Serbian Church Lenten meals.
At the book signing with Steve Brawley	One more walk in Compton Heights
One more walk in the Missouri Botanical Gardens	We spend a lot of time on the back deck
Zander and Stephanie at the Mill Wharf Restaurant in Scituate, MA	Wisteria and azaleas at MOBOT

We go to Art in Bloom at the St. Louis Art Museum every year	Voting for Hillary Clinton in the primary election
We try to go to every Band Together concert	Jim and Heidi visit the new IKEA in St. Louis Central West End