2001

December 2001

Dear ________,

In just re-reading some past Christmas letters seeking inspiration for this one, I instead became depressed. Take the 1982 letter for example, I filled an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet solid with news, in rhyme yet. Uffda! And using that letter as an example, we have now been living a very inactive quiet life. Then why do I think I am so busy?

Anyway, this has been a good year:

Mom still lives in her apartment in Mankato, slowing down, losing her vision, celebrated her 92nd birthday. She is glad for evening meals served 5 nights a week, and morning coffee with several of the other residents.

Our "kids" are all in the same place as last year, all doing the same thing: 1) Dawn, and Bob, Heather and Andy in Maryland. We were out there for Memorial Day weekend - saw the Blue Angels perform. What precision, what noise! And the following weekend we were present at Andy's confirmation service. It was a good visit.

2) Mark living in Stateline, NV, teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, performing some. We were out there for a short visit in August. After taking us up to Donner Pass one day and down to Yosemite National Park another, he was surprised that one of our favorite things was watching him work as musical director for the play Into the Woods being put on by a private company at the north end of the Lake.

3) On that same trip, we went up to Portland OR to see Arik, Stacie and Kaelyn. Arik still works at United Rental, Stacie part time as a dietician. We helped Kaelyn celebrate her first birthday, a few days early. She enjoyed watching the single candle burn on her cupcake, and then getting to eat the cake and get frosting all over her face. Yummmm!

4) Jene and John are still teaching at Traer, IA so we see them oftener, though maybe not as often as you would think living that close. Jene still teaches second grade, and John high school business, and helps setting up the computer for the school, and of course, head wrestling coach. BrandiAnne is in first grade and loves learning to read. J. T. goes to pre-school and day care. They are a busy family!

We've gone to Mankato a few times, and to Decorah a few times. Vince had his 50th high school class reunion in September, and had a really good turnout. The years go by! And of course, we went to the Nordic Fest in July, a Vesterheim Museum dinner at the restored Winneshiek Hotel in October, some trout fishing weekends.

Vince still plays his bass guitar in the Praise Band for the Contemporary Service on Saturday evenings at church - he really likes it!

It is so comforting to know in these times of threats and dangers, that we rest in the knowledge of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior, whose birth we celebrate this time of year. May that peace be yours.