Christmas 2022

Well, since I’m writing this on June 29, 2023, I don’t have a lot to say about last Christmas. What I WILL say, is that I brought a light lavender into my scheme–through pillows, wrappings and faux stems which I tucked into my tree–and I absolutely loved it. At this point, I plan to use the same color scheme this year…because my love for light lavender has only increased.

Also, in keeping with past tradition, here is my 2022 Christmas letter:

December 6, 2022

Dear Family and Friends, 

I’m feeling a little lonesome or melancholy tonight (is it possible that while I haven’t had a menstrual cycle since getting an IUD 11 years ago, I might still experience PMS?) so I put on some Mannheim and made myself a homemade peppermint blizzard with some of those Christmas Joe Joes from Trader Joe’s. You know the ones? The milk was supposed to have expired three weeks ago, but since it smelled fine, I went for it.  (As a side note—we have never in 19 years had milk hang around long enough to expire.  You know what’s changed?  Camp moved out.

Sarah used to have this thing where she and her kids would review “the good things” of the day as part of their nightly bedtime routine.  So, before I go to bed tonight, I’d like to share with you a few of “the good things” of this year.  

Recently, Skip asked me if I’d take him to Subway to spend a gift card he had.  At Subway, I found a table while he got in line to order.  I listened to him politely tell the ladies behind the counter about his gift card and then proceed to order, including ‘please’s’ and ‘thank you’s at each step in the assembly line.   When they handed him his sandwich, the ladies showered him with praise for being able to communicate with them so clearly and politely on his own.  And I’ll tell you what—never was there a mother more proud of her boy ordering a Spicy Italian, toasted, with bacon, lettuce and jalapeños added—than I was on that day.  🙂

A few months ago, a special education teacher’s aide at the high school approached me at a football game to tel me how much she appreciates Danin.  She said that one of her special education students shares a PE period with Danin, and every day, Danin makes sure to shoot hoops or interact with her in some other way.  Then, a couple weeks ago, I overheard Danin talking on the phone with someone for a good long while.  I was curious about who she was talking to since most of her communications are done through text.  Well, it turned out, it was that same girl from her class.   Goodness me… 

Jane was completely disinterested in joining Danin and me in watching all six of the Downton Abbey seasons earlier this year, but more recently, I noticed she had started retreating upstairs from time to time to watch Gilmore Girls.  So, on one occasion, I plopped down on the couch and watched alongside her.  I was sooo excited to be bonding with Jane that I couldn’t contain myself.  I exclaimed, “Gobbledy!  We’re bonding!   Before you know it, we’re going to be telling secrets and talking about boys!”  She rolled her eyes and warned me not to get carried away.    Maybe she’ll never confide in me…but maybe she will!!    Watching a show together regularly is a slippery slope! And do you remember the excitement you felt when your children took their first steps??  Well, I’m experiencing that all over again with Camp—except better!  He’s walking through life on his own now…and I want to yell, “He’s doing it!  He’s doing it!”  He’s loving school—or at least he’s loving his life in Logan. Ha!  And we’re all loving that he’s loving it.  He texted me on my birthday to let me know he was watching While You Were Sleeping in honor of my birthday tradition.  

Last Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting, (which, if you’re not familiar with our faith traditions, is like an open mic session where people get up at will and share their convictions about Jesus and his gospel)  and just after an older woman had finished speaking and was headed away from the podium, Brian darted out of his seat.  I felt a little surprise and thrill run through me (I LOVE when Brian talks spiritual)—expecting him to get up and share his testimony; but he stopped when he met up with the older woman.  He took her arm and helped her down the steps and then returned to his seat beside me.  It soon occurred to me that had indeed shared his testimony…just not with words.  
So there you have it—a few of many “good things” over the last little while.  I hope that amidst all the hard things of this life, you also have good things to focus on at the end of each day.  

Merry Christmas.

Love,  Ann