It’s the end of another year – a good time to look back before moving forward. I do that every December, reviewing family events in preparation for writing our traditional Christmas letter/card. Yes, I’m one of the dwindling number who still sends physical Christmas greetings – real paper and envelopes and stamps. I write the letters themselves as much to mark the chapters of our family life as to inform/entertain those who receive them (see Christmas Cards).
“Was his letter a long one? Does he give you much account of what he is doing? Is it Christmas gaieties that he is staying for?” (Mansfield Park, chapter 29)
I use a single sheet of cardstock, printing the letter on one side with a pretty picture for the cover on the other. Then I fold it in half to make the card. Space is limited! I don’t have that issue here, though. So today, I thought I’d send you all a slightly belated, somewhat expanded version of that Christmas letter, starting with the cover image (a view of Mt. Rainier taken near our house).
I’ve chosen an odd year to do this, I suppose, because I don’t have anything of a glamorous or particularly impressive nature to tell, (not like another author’s year-end wrap up that I just read – travels to Europe, personal appearances, new publishing contract, awards). But maybe this will be more relatable. Anyway, here’s how I began this year’s letter:
Hello, everyone, and Merry Christmas 2023! Another year has flown by, and I’m not sure we have a lot to show for it. We continue much as before, only it seems we spend more time maintaining ourselves, our home, and our vehicles the older we get. In fact, three new maintenance problems have arisen in the last couple of days – two car issues and one appliance!
This is all too true. Our aging fleet of vehicles suffered an abnormal number of problems this year – blown head gaskets, leaking fuel tanks, bad starters, dead batteries, etc. Not one thing at a time either, but multiples, to the point where we thought we might have to borrow back the spare car we had loaned to a friend. And then in the house, it’s been a series of water emergencies (4 at last count) – puddles (leaking refrigerator, leaking dishwasher, leaking hot water tank) to one full-fledged flood (pressure surge bursting connections several places at once)!
So hubby has kept busy this year with car repair projects, major and minor, and both of us with taking apart the kitchen and putting it back together again after our dishwasher leaked, damaging our hardwood floors. Only a small section of the floor actually needed to be replaced, but then ALL of it had to be refinished, which meant removing all the appliances, all baseboard trim, two china cabinets full of breakables, and the dining table and chairs (our living room was piled high for weeks). Lastly we had to move ourselves out to the camp trailer for a few days while the fumes dissipated. What fun!
I did have one positive change to report, though…
The biggest change around the house, though, was actually in the back yard, where we decided to install a large solar panel array. It was a big investment (there went that trip around the world we had planned), but hopefully it will prove to be a smart one.
So no major travels this year, just our annual pilgrimage to Ashley Lake (Kalispell, Montana), joined by my sister and our good friend. A brand new experience awaited us there, though: our first zip line adventure. Since gravity does most of the work, you’re never too old! We all enjoyed it and agreed we’d like to try it again sometime.
Then, of course, I had to brag a little about my kids and grandkids (omitting that part here for their privacy). My other big achievement for 2023 was finishing another novel: Mr. Knightley in His Own Words. Whoohoo! That’s 13 books in the last 13 years. Hope I can keep it up a while longer.
One thing more. I always add an appropriate Bible verse to the top or bottom of the letter – something to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
What will 2024 bring? I don’t know, but I’m praying it will be health, peace, and love for us all.
Do you still send Christmas cards/letters? Have you taken the time to review 2023 in your mind? What was the highlight for you? What are you looking forward to in 2024? Best wishes!
Shannon
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Sorry for all the domestic repair issues, Shannon. They sure can be troublesome. I was just looking online at dishwashers. Mine has started giving me problems. Big puddle yesterday. Thankfully, my flooring is tile. I feel bad about your hardwood floors so soon after your renovation. I loved Mr. Knightley and can’t wait to see what your wonderful talents bring us in ‘24.
Just the ordinary setbacks life gives us, but it did seen a bit excessive this year! Haha! So glad you enjoyed Mr. K. I’m still working on what to write for 2024, hopefully it will be something good. Thanks for your kind words and continued support, Marie!
As long as the year is held by our wonderful Saviour, the rest will end up ok.
I did look back on the year and decided it was a year of beginnings and endings.
The first half of the year was fairly routine, but the last four months made up for it with a vengeance!
In late August, my Mum turned 90 and we had a family party with our children and grandchildren and Mum’s older brother who was able to travel a long distance to be there.
Late August was also the beginning of Mum becoming very unwell.
The end of August saw me beginning a new job! Same organisation, but ending my days of teaching and taking an administrative role supporting one of the Directors (all unplanned and quite out of the blue!).
But in the end it was a great decision as the very small team have been completely flexible and supportive of my family needs.
The next three months we’re exceedingly difficult as Mum deteriorated quickly to now weight bearing, bed ridden, unsuccessful surgery and finally several weeks n a coma. For three weeks I went every day after work to visit and to chat to her without response. So difficult!
My two daughters went when they could and we read scriptures, sang, played music to her. (A few times I read her passages from one of your books! – Prayer and Praise).
And so her final earthly ending came in November.
The end of the year also saw primary school graduation for the two eldest grandchildren! They are both beginning high school in the new year. And the youngest grandson will begin school 😊
Very thankful for our extensive solar panels that power our AC during the long hot summer!
Looking forward to an easier year in 2024! – and excited we will be in (our) national capital to see the new year fireworks and celebrations.
Loosing a parent is always difficult, even when they’ve live a long, useful life. I’m sorry for what you went through, Michelle. I lost my mom 2 years ago. It makes such a difference, though, when we have the promise of heaven to look forward to! Thanks for reading and sharing your 2023 high- and lowlights. Blessings!
I used to write a review of our year to send out with my Christmas cards. But over the years I have ceased doing that, mainly because I found that people responding at all dwindled and as my children married and had their own families, I didn’t include news about them. I do send cards to a few friends and to my immediate family. Each grandchild, of course, gets a card. I gave each of my three children a “book” with copies of all those letters in it. Our life is not that exciting as we have aged and developed medical issues. I attend church and Bible study on ZOOM. My husband attends games in Devon PA in which our one set of grandchildren play but he leaves so early in the morning that I am still sleeping most of the time. We do see all of them for birthdays and for Thanksgiving and Christmas with a few other visits thrown in. They all live over an hour away from us.
We have 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. Our one daughter was not able to have any and has her cat as her “baby”. Both our son and other daughter have a boy and a girl each. They range in age from 8 and 8, to 10 and 11 years old.
I lost my mother in February of 2000 when she was 77 years old. I turned 77 this year. Yes, we will meet in Heaven!
Happy New Year to all.
Maybe I will give it up at some point, the letter I mean. I just know that I’m disappointed when I don’t get even a Christmas card from people that I don’t see except rarely, or when I get a card from someone like that which is just signed – no news, no personal comment, no photos. So for now, I’ll carry on in the hope that at least a few people enjoy receiving/reading them! Glad you’re able to keep in touch with your family, and that Zoom makes it possible for you to still participate in your church. Blessings and joy in the new year, Sheila!