Christmas, 1997
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Do you hate Christmas Letters? If so, here is an early holiday gift: Take this letter in both hands and crumple it, thoroughly, into a tight ball, feeling your holiday aggressions flow into the paper before you pitch it into the fireplace. Now, didn’t that feel good?
Still with us, eh? Maybe the Grinch doesn’t have as tight a hold on your heart as you thought! Merry Christmas!! I see these letters as a fine excuse to sit down in the midst of this hectic season, grab a mug of coffee and think about friends whom I haven’t seen or written to as often as I would like. So, grab a mug of your favorite beverage, take a load off your feet and spend a minute with me...
First of all, we are all well and that alone is enough to give thanks for this holiday. Our ‘little one’, Allison, is anything but little. A little over 40 inches tall, she is easily the tallest 3 year old in her class. She is typically mistaken for a kindergartener. I am torn between wanting her to grow up and play basketball so she can make a zillion dollars for her aging mother, and my desire to keep her forever as the terminally cute preschooler she is.
Bill, our fourth grader is playing basketball in the local police youth league. I am thrilled, since before this he was a soccer fanatic and I was becoming a mom-sicle standing on the sidelines during the early winter games. Bill is still having fun with music, he plays piano and trumpet. His favorite times to practice are whenever he is supposed to be doing something else. His favorite school subject is Nintendo 64. There are almost no games that he hasn’t mastered.
Jim is now a sixth grader! (I know this sounds corny, but...) My baby is turning into a young man. His voice has gotten deep and his body is filling out (and always needs a shower!) In spite of the trauma this is causing to my “I’m still only 26” mentality, it really is fun seeing him become human. The only real problem is that he inherited his father’s (warped) sense of humor. Don't try him in a test of wits, he’ll win every time. Now I know why my mother ended arguments with “Because I’m the mom, that’s why!”
As for Mom, she is doing well, if you call spending your retirement living in a loony house like ours. She is a real trooper, doing two loads of laundry every day to keep up with all of the little athletes including Allison, who is a world class clothes changer. A couple of hours is a long time for her to stay in the same dress. Aunt Winnie is with us again for the holidays. She had her hip replaced last spring and is just now getting her legs back underneath her. She has been a tremendous help with the holiday preparations. Having another driver in the house is a true blessing.
So that is the news here, with one big exception! It seems that old father time has managed to catch up with Grass. He is finally turning 40! After his escapades last year when I hit 26 for the 15th time, I promised myself that I would get back at him this year. (He crossed the line with the tombstone shaped cake!) So, if you are free this New Years Eve, give me a call or better yet stop by. I plan on making the most of this milestone!
Until then, I hope all is well with you and that you enjoyed this gentle respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
Maria
P.S. If you have a holiday letter, send it to me. I need the break!