Our Christmas Letter

Each year, since we got married, we've mailed out a Christmas letter. Not too many people do that any more. But I do think it is a worthwhile exercise. I like to think of it as a summing up of the year, a look backwards over the peaks and valleys that made this year special, and also a tiny effort to impart verbal cheer in this annus horribilis. Our family like all other families has taken some hits-- the deaths of loved ones, a burglery, and a harrowing economy. But, on balance, life is good for all of us.

I heard an opinion piece on NRP Radio by a Jesuit priest who wished that he received less family-oriented cards and more religious-oriented cards, or, as he put it, less Virgin Islands and more Virgin Mary. Bah humbug. I could only think to myself that this is a man who deserves to not have a family. What kind of a monkish existence must he live to deny himself the joys and sorrows of family life?

Writing such a letter is a long process. We try to keep it to a single page-- no small task when we all live such full lives. One of my children thought the closing sentiments were "cheezy". Perhaps, but life is more than filling the belly and filling the wallet. And the best of life is cheezy, if by that we mean tending to the maudlin. I was at a mall with the family last week for Chinese and there was a strolling quartet dressed in Victorian clothes signing holiday music. Most of it was of the "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer" variety-- fun and frothy but with no especially deep sentiments. At one point, they asked for a request, and they took mine: "Silent Night". They sang so movingly-- it was a moment of musical numinous. Perhaps it was the recent death of my mother or perhaps it was the memory of Christmas stretching back over the decades. But I found my eyes for a moment swimming in a heiligenschein of tears-- and I saw others around effected the same way. It's strange how such unexpected emotions can catch you by surprise.

Anyway, here is our letter for this year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, 2008

Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray
Bless all the dear Children in Thy tender care
And fit us for Heaven to live with Thee there.

Dear Family and Friends,

Coping with our parent’s declining health has been one of the biggest challenges in this difficult year. On December 1st, Philip’s Mom, Lucinda, went to Heaven after a long illness. Philip was with his 90 year-old mother in April and also in the remaining days of her life. Dad, who had his 92nd birthday in June, has his own apartment at Calvary Fellowship Homes in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Through it all, we have also experienced God’s grace as well as joy in abundance.

Here are some glimpses of those fun moments that will live on in our memory.

In March, we visited Maui in recognition of Nancy’s milestone birthday. The 50th state seemed most appropriate. We enjoyed whale watching from a black sand beach, seeing the giant sea turtles while snorkeling, and marveling at the scenery while we drove the winding Road to Hana. A highlight of our trip was a helicopter ride over the island, where we saw waterfalls, whales, and an aerial view of the volcano.

Our new kitchen is a dream come true and the result of years of saving and planning. Our remodel also included our master bathroom and desert landscaping. It took several months, and we felt fortunate to be able to live in our condo a mile away while contractors were renovating our home.
In October, we took a seven day cruise on the Disney Magic in the Caribbean. Special moments of this trip included enjoying key lime pie in Key West. Nancy had fun driving our family through the sites in Cozumel, Mexico. We all liked the shows and activities on board that made this trip magical. Zach especially enjoyed The Stack, the teenager’s hangout, while Ben liked the beach games at Castaway Cay, Disney’s island.

Philip continues working at Boeing, supporting the Apache helicopter. He likes taking bike rides with Nancy and has fun gardening in the back yard.

Nancy continues to work in the Scottsdale Unified School District. However, she graduated from the classroom into the office as the “ambassador of first impressions” at Cochise Elementary School. It was fun to get together with sisters Kristin and Kara in Las Vegas in July. In December, Nancy traveled to Chicago for a surprise party to celebrate Kara's 40th birthday.

Zach, age 14, is six feet three inches tall—taller than both his parents! As a freshman at Chaparral High School, Zach carries a full load with marching band and honors classes. He is also a soccer referee on Saturdays.

Ben, age 12, enjoys playing with his wave and having fun with his friends. He also likes computer games and being a pen pal with his cousin Liam O’Shea, who lives in Chicago.

During these times, the familiar carol “Away in the Manager” reminds us that God's steadying hand gives us the confidence and the calmness to face the future with faith, hope, and love.

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

We wish you the wonder of a starlit night, the warmth of firelight, and the magic of a Christmas morning. May all that He is fill your hearts with joy this Christmas and always!