I’m doing the Christmas Letter on-line this year for a couple reasons:
1) Saves trees.
2) Saves postage
3) and frankly, I’m just not sure I’m going to get the cards out this year. I love sending out cards. I love getting cards. But I think I need to take this year off. I promise, I’ll get them out next year. 🙂
Dear Everybody:
C is for Christmas.
For most of the year, C has stood for something different. I like Christmas better. Always have. I’m one of those crazy people that loves looking for gifts for people. Sometimes they’re purchased and sometimes they’re home made but I’ve always figured it’s my wordless way of showing how much my family and friends are loved. And this year I discovered that I have a wonderful network of strength and friendship. My family that embraced my new normal. My old friends who rallied for me in so many ways, making sure my family was fed and cared for when I was unable. My new friends, who also took us under their wings and reminded me what Christian fellowship is about.
C is for Church. Going back to church has been an amazing thing for me and my family. I love the belonging of worship. I love the music and the recitation of sage words that have lasted for over a thousand years. I love listening to L as she learns the different prayers. (We’re still working on little J not wearing his pajamas to church, much less sitting in the pews. Heh.) Going back to church has inspired me to *be* better, not just get better.
C is for children. Today, L had her Kindergarten Christmas program. They were so cute! And they sang on pitch! (Yes, geeky music teacher comment.) She wore her Christmas dress. I barely convinced her to wear white tights (she wanted to wear red hearts. The dress is blue plaid.) J wanted to wear his Christmas outfit too so I thought I’d try to get some pictures of them with the tree. After school, I took them to see Santa at the mall. I thought my timing was brilliant because most kids would be taking a nap then. Except I had a very sleepy 3 year old in the back seat. J is not a happy napper. Some kids wake up refreshed. Mine wake up worse than before. L and I must have looked like lunatics playing loud music and periodically yelling “Wakey Wakey Wakey!” in our best muppet voices to keep him awake. We did it though and both kids made up for being whiny this week by putting on their best behavior for Santa.
- Santa keep tickling me to get me to smile.
And yes, J is wearing his snazzy snow boots. Some battles aren’t worth it.
And some are. 🙂 I meant what I said about wanting to be better. There’s a song that’s on the John Denver and the Muppets album that sums it up well, I think. I always liked the idea that the potential for wisdom is within all of us, if we only use our heart and eyes to see what is around us.
So Merry Christmas, with a big, old, illuminated C.
Take that, cancer. 🙂
Love,
Nicole
It’s in every one of us
To be wise
Find your heart
Open up both your eyes
We can all know everything
Without ever knowing why
It’s in every one of us
By and by
Sadly, after much internet surfing, I can’t find the John Denver version. Which is too bad. It’s my favorite. So here’s Clay Aiken. Who has my hair.
19 responses to “Christmas Letter 2008”
kariberi
December 17th, 2008 at 21:21
hugs to you and yours girlie! We will be in Florida for Christmas but I will say an extra prayer for you at Christmas service!
Beeeeeeeee
December 17th, 2008 at 22:18
What a great letter! Don’t forget C is also for Cure, which is what I’m hoping for this year.
Love to you and yours!!
Marie
December 18th, 2008 at 05:05
Wonderful letter! The pic of the kids with Santa came out lovely.
So darn proud of you for battling back and beating your ‘C’. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
StarSpry
December 18th, 2008 at 08:36
What a beautiful letter! That’s a wonderful picture of L & J with Santa 🙂
Merry Christmas, Nicole!! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Holiday!
sprucehillfarm
December 18th, 2008 at 10:19
I love it Nicole! You did a really good job. I love the picture,they looks so happy! Merry Christmas, we both have had a rotten year but I think we are on the good side now. Plus we have really cool hair! 🙂
Sue P
December 18th, 2008 at 10:44
What a beautiful Christmas letter, Nicole. Thank you for your courage and bright smile in the face of adversity. Faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love – but don’t knock hope!!
Lisa
December 18th, 2008 at 11:30
I’m sending you all my love.
Merry Christmas.
5elementknitr
December 18th, 2008 at 12:31
Great letter! Be well and have many more happy holidays…
Wendi
December 18th, 2008 at 14:18
Wait, what’s wrong with mixing red hearts and blue plaid? Sounds like a valid fashion choice to me!
Jen
December 18th, 2008 at 18:33
They are so cute Nicole! I ditto what Sarah said….I’m glad 2008 is over and although I would never want this for anyone I’m glad we’ve gotten to know each other (in cyberspace:) and travel this journey together…..
katbur
December 20th, 2008 at 05:54
Here’s hoping that 2009 is a better and calmer year for you. Great call letting the boots in, the tights would have made for an interesting visual though. Merry Christmas!
whymommy
December 20th, 2008 at 20:58
And Merry Christmas to you! I’m so glad to know you.
Sara
December 21st, 2008 at 07:53
Great letter Nicole. I was happy to see a picture of the children. Have a healthy 2009!!!! Sara
cheryl stouff
December 21st, 2008 at 15:38
C is also for Courage, something that you have so visibly displayed through all of this. May this coming year bless you with good health, happiness and many, many blessings. By the way, your kids are so adorable. Cheryl
mod*mom
December 22nd, 2008 at 09:35
merry “C” hristmas!
Katie
December 23rd, 2008 at 20:09
Merry Christmas!
Best, Katie/bowlofcherries
lydee
December 31st, 2008 at 06:30
what a beautiful letter!
tanya hircock
January 4th, 2009 at 18:20
Ok, so it’s January 4th and I am just now reading your letter, but it was still Awesome! One of the many things I have always loved about you Nicole is your sense of humor, so witty. (like a Brit or something, say that out loud with a British accent) Anyway, I think of you and your family often and know that I love you even if we haven’t seen much of each other over the years. You rock!!!!! Let’s make some hanging out plans!
Happy NEW YEAR!!!!
Jessica
February 3rd, 2009 at 15:28
I just now got around to reading your lovely Christmas letter. Thanks for including me. I can’t tell you how great it is to have you and Lindsay singing with us. I have been asking for another soprano for Christmas for years and finally I got one. Here’s to many more years of sharing the music.