It occurs to me that I should have a holiday posting.  Here I am in front of my poetry sisters.  That's pretty funny.  Grown women hiding behind a friend.  Anyway, I did write a Christmas letter this year.  And I have had a beautiful season of great dinners, movies, and memories. 

Dear friends and family,

Christmas cards are arriving, and decorations are popping up everywhere.  By this time last year, Chuck and I had mailed our cards and our Christmas presents and left for a month long vacation in Texas.  With Chuck’s death on the 10^th, it was a difficult time for our family.

Chuck was the Christmas Letter author.  I don’t plan to continue the tradition.  A small, homemade card with note is more my style.

So my year has been a bit chaotic. Taxes, roof leaks, replacing light bulbs, etc.—I have a whole new world.  But I am able to manage everything because I have the support of wonderful friends and a caring church.  The children and grandchildren have been attentive, calling and keeping track of me.  Will taught me how to park the Prius in the garage, Tami, Marla, and I spent some wonderful days at the beach at Ocean Shores and a Hoquiam High memorial for Chuck in Hoquiam, Washington.  Wayne calls when he can.

My Dad, Bill Nitzke, joined me for January and February. He is still doing well, playing a bit of golf, reading, and enjoying the day to day.  He will be 100 on February 2. We are planning a little party in Iowa, and I will have a second one for West Coast family and friends on March 9^th.  Getting to 100 in such great shape is a very big deal and deserves a party and celebration.

I was also able to spend time in Portland with the Knopps.  David is working in Colorado, son-in-law Ron is team driving for Gordon Trucking, and both were home for a great family dinner.  I was able to see everyone except Brian who has moved to a great new job in Philadelphia.  I loved being with the great-grandchildren David and Andrew Maynard.  

I spent Mother’s Day in Texas with Will.  It was a great week with lots of gourmet food.

(I’ll never forget the tasty octopus black ink spaghetti.)  I also spent several weeks in Iowa with my family.  My niece Kim had a beautiful wedding, so I had quality time with the extended family and saw both brother’s families.

In this season of celebration and love—I’m always impressed by the selflessness of people donating food, toys for tots, packages to disaster victims---I raise a toast to all the gifts of love:  from our Heavenly Father, from strangers, from loved ones, from friends, from love’s memory. Blessings to you and yours.