1982

'Tis the twelfth of December, in '82 And my list is long, of things to do,
We've already enjoyed hearing from some; And eagerly wait for each mail to come.
So the first on my list to get done next, is the writing and mailing of this little text.

This year has been fun from start to end; it began with Vince really on the mend.
In February, we flew to Tucson, for his 'silver' dental class reunion.
Attended sessions, sat in the sun, remembered classes, faculty, fun;
Renewing friendships of days of yore, and mourning those who are with us no more.

In March, to New Orleans we flew, where Vince read a paper of facts that he knew
Concerning bridges and stresses of mastication, from his article deemed worthy of publication.
The French Quarter, Bourbon Street - sea food dinners, all really neat!

No trips in May, but two graduations, shared with a few of my relations.
Arik from high school his diploma received, with 300 classmates all much relieved.
Mark, from the U. his Master's complete, anxious now to sing for his 'bread and meat.'

I think that in June I just stayed at home. For eight weeks of theater, Mark left for Macomb.
And for his annual fishing excursion, Vince joined Spence on a Canada diversion.

Let me tell you about a jam-packed July. You won't believe it and neither do I.
Vince got home on the third, you know; and off to the Des Moines Airport we go
To meet Peggy, you remember her? She lived with us while attending Luther.
She's attending a Sem. in Ft. Worth; what visiting, giggling, reminisicing and mirth.

She, Vince, I, Dawn, and Jene drove down to Macomb on a Thursday
To see West Side Story, and "Tony" by Mark - such singing and acting, the trip was a lark.
Peg left for Texas, the week too fast ended, while we headed north for a vacation splendid.
Just sis Sharon, her family, Vince and me - a cabin, the lake shore, phone-and-schedule free.

But back to the rat race the following week: again to Macomb, the 'rising star' to seek.
Appearing this time in a supporting role; Once Upon a Mattress the name of the show.
Then to Decorah, the annual Nordic Fest; we stayed with Wangsnesses, accomdations the best.

Dawn got her Master's at U of NI; we surprised her and went - oh me, and oh my!
One more day of July yet to go - back to Macomb to see one more show.
Oklahoma! - it's "Curly" Mark was this time; his acting was good, his singing sublime.
We swam in the pool, stayed over night; met Amy, Mark's friend (I think she's Miss Right).

August has come and things quiet a mite - We took Dawn to C.R. for her Japanese flight.
She's teaching there on an army base - exciting happenings she's had to face.
Met her Mr. Right, married him too; such mysterious moves God only knew.
They'll be coming back to live in D.C., after blessing their civil vows in a church ceremony.

Amy was here to share our Thanksgiving; after Christmas with her, Mark will be living
In Chicago, that marvelous big city, where he hopes to be singing some little ditty.
Amy's moving there, too; she graduates now. A wedding there'll be. Together somehow
They'll interview, audition, and struggle along - she writing an ad, he singing a song.

Still home in the nest is Arik who cooks - he's working full time, saving money for books,
Tuition, room and board, college next fall (too bad he's not good at some kind of ball).

Jené is a junior, studies real hard, in order that her 3 pt. will not be marred.
A special ed. degree she hopes to pursue, to help others who have special needs, too.

We were up home in August, the folks 55th; and back there in September for Dad's 80th.
They'll be coming this way for Christmas this year. We'll all be at Pam's for the Day of good cheer.

Vince's mother still lives, though a year ago now, the dr. had almost given up, but somehow,
She survived the pneumonia, the new broken hip; celebrated her 90th with a smile on her lip.
We visit her often to talk, and of course, with Vince it is likely to be in Old Norse.

Before I stop, just a word not in jest: How about them Hawks? Aren't they the best?
So Christmas is coming with all of its joys, the glittering lights, the jubilant noise.
May God give you His peace, only this season can bring, As we worship togetherHIS SON AND OUR KING!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S A N D H A P P Y N E W Y E A R !

1976

Verla Williams, Christmas Letter (1976). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

As I'm sitting here, gathering thoughts, they (the thoughts) don't seem to [?] into words; and my mind wanders from one month to another remembering the year that is almost history. (And I feel melancholy. Is it the sorrows that stand out, or my increasing years or is it that I'm wishing I could visit with you face to face?)

February is the month I remember Vince's 86 yr. old dad passed away. I remember the concern in his face as he told Vince he was dying and asked him to take care of his mother. And I remember the peace in his face as he said the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer with the pastor.

May was graduation month - Mark graduated from high school and made his plans for college. He is presently attending Iowa State Univ. at Ames. He entered with computer science in mind but this quarter is taking some music courses and is happier. Thinking of college, Dawn is in her junior year at the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls, and well on her way to becoming a kindergarten teacher. She is a Resident Assistant so is kept busy.

June is a fun month to remember. After Vince had enjoyed his Canadian fishing trip, Jené and I took my almost annual trip to visit my folks, and many relatives and friends we don't see on our infrequent weekend jaunts. We also had a visit from Peggy - it had been two years since she graduated from Luther and left us. What a lot of catching up we did - she is happily busy at the Missionary Radio Station in Puerto Rico.

Vince began a new experience in September which he thoroughly enjoys; he is teaching one day a week at the University Dental College in Iowa City. (Nothing like having someone at each of Iowa's universities.) The driving is the hardest part - 280 miles round trip - especially on Iowa winter roads. But he relishes the challenge of sharing his knowledge and experiences with Sr. dental students - our dentists of tomorrow.

The rest of the family: Arik is in 7th grade, in band (a drummer) and planning on going out for track this spring. He is getting sick of his morning paper route, but it enabled him to buy a motorcycle which he really likes. Think ihe will be the family mechanic. Jené is in 5th grade, Girl Scouts, takes piano and now thinks she is going to learn the violin. Both sing in Church Choir. Vince's mom is still at the Eastern Star Home, still in the wheelchair and misses Walter terribly. I consider myself God's oil can for this conglomerate, and I enjoy it!

The merriest of Christmases to you!

1975

Dear friends,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh - I bet you thought we can cross Verla off our list - she's not going to get her cards done this year. I read "Family Circus" in yesterday's paper and had second thoughts again. So, if you I don't like Christmas letters, just throw this away. I like getting them!

For the very first time, I tried making lefse and fatigmann last week. Guess our trip to Norway this past summer has inspired me. Yes, Vince and I and my sister & her husband, Sharon and Dalen, visited the 'land of our ancestors' the first two weeks in August. We had a really good time - the scenery was beautiful and the weather agreeable as well. We didn't know of any living relatives but we tramped a few cemeteries and found some stones with family names. We even found a couple of farms we believe to be old homesteads. We stayed in mission hotels, a Baptist school and even a private home and met some nice people. Vince's ability to speak some Norwegian stood us in good stead. Now we are starting our 'vacation savings fund' over - I've always thought it would be fun to visit Hawaii, but now I'd like to go back to Norway; or maybe to England and Germany to visit the ancestral homes of the other side of my family. Oh, well - I'm dreaming!

For several years I was able to tell you about the increases to our family - now it has started to decrease. Dawn graduated from High School in May - attended Luther College summer session, and then in Aug. moved to Cedar Falls, Ia., where she is enrolled in the University of Northern Iowa; she is aiming to be a kindergarten teacher - thoroughly loves those little 5-year-olds. She is enjoying college life. With the two summers she went to Luther, plus credits from exams, etc. she will be a second semester sophomore when she starts again in January. She plans to work this coming summer, but will still finish college in three years. It saves her money, she says.

Mark is a senior in High School, active in chorus, band, Cross Country. He is not sure where he will go to college, and has been getting publicity from a lot of them. He likes music, but he also likes math and computers, and I guess what he decides to do will affect where he decides to go.

Arik is in sixth grade and nearing 12 years. He started in band this year, and on the drums at that! Practicing gets a little noisy, especially since his bedroom is off our kitchen. His morning paper route keeps him in spending money, besides saving for a motorcycle. (Like father - like son. Oh, Vince sold his Harley and bought a new Yamaha, somewhat smaller than the Harley. He just got it before it got cold so he hasn't ridden it much).

Jene is 9 1/2 and in fourth grade. She started piano this year and so far likes it. She even practices without being reminded. Girl Scouts and church choir are her extracurricular activities.

There has been some sadness this year - Vince's good friend from dental school being killed in an airplane accident last February in Florida; my cousin's (who lived in Golden Valley, Mn.) death from cancer just last month.

Our parents are all well - Vince's folks will be here Christmas Eve. Lillie's hip has not healed properly and she is still in a wheelchair. We will be going up to my folks the day after Christmas for the weekend.

Peggy, our Anguillan daughter, is in Puerto Rico, in training to be a radio missionary. She is happy in her new work. I wish we were close enough to hear a broadcast - I'm just assuming that sooner or later her bell-like singing voice will be going out on radio waves. I can almost hear her. . .
"Go tell it on the mountains,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountains,
That Jesus Christ is born!"
Again, Merry Christmas!

Vince, Verla, Dawn, Mark, Arik and Jené

1974

Dear friend,

The disappointment I feel when I open a card without some note of news from the sender prods me to again dig out my typewriter and set down this discourse.

Looking back over our oversized calendar, this has been a year of much activity - I hope some of it meaningful. There have been several highlights:

In January, our family (we took the kids out of school) spent 2 weeks in southern Texas, basking in the sun, running on the beach, a trip across the border to Mexico and visiting old (of long standing) friends from when Vince was stationed in Harlingen. That was fun!

May was interesting - we helped Vince's folks celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary by having a small open house here for their friends and relatives. (Things have been up and down for them thru-out the year. They moved in November from the Retirement Center to the Eastern Star Retirement Home. Lillie fell about a week ago and broke her leg, so right now she is in the hospital.)

Also in May, Peggy graduated from Luther College. We had another Open House to honor her, and such a crew of friends and faculty that came to wish her well. Right now she is back at home in Anguilla, but anticipates coming back sometime.

In July, we went to Windom for a weekend for my class reunion - the 25th (could it be?) I really enjoyed that - seeing some classmates I hadn't seen for years and years. Another week was spent at Windom during July, helping Mom with the chores while Dad was in the hospital for a short stay. It was kind of fun again - feeding the hogs, the chickens, the sheep, etc. You can take the girl off the farm but you never quite get the farm out of the girl.

Vince had his usual trips - dental meetings, etc. He spent a week in N. Minn. in June, catching the big ones, mostly northerns. And the Labor Day weekend in Canada trying for more. He spent this past Friday and Saturday at the university of Minnesota attending a dental short course. Really good, he said.

An exciting and rewarding experience was ours in September when we were the host family for two visiting Japanese Christians, a venture of the Iowa District of the ALC. Our communication was painstakingly slow as we understood no Japanese, and they spoke little English. The night one of them asked to be shown the conveniences of my "kitchen room and my basement" was a real event. To explain the workings of our appliances, particularly the water softener, was as educational for me as for them.

The kids have been involved and busy - Dawn, a senior and Mark, a junior especially so. Mark was a member of the State Champion Cross Country team, and was thrilled. Both of them had parts in the Sr. High Drama Dept. production of Fiddler on the Roof and after 8 or 10 weeks of rehearsals, the entire cast did a terrific job. Dawn was one of the daughters, and Mark played the tailor.

Arik is in fifth grade and Jené in third and each busy in their own activities. Arik spent a night in the hospital after a hard bump on the head, but no dire consequences. Jené just keeps bubbling around, teasing everyone and earning their displeasure more often than not.

So we come again to the Advent season with its busy preparations. It's good I know that Christmas will come whether or not I get my cookies baked, my gifts wrapped or my cards sent. My, (and everyone's) preparedness comes from opening the heart's door to the Christ knocking there, whether it be the Christ born in the manger or the Christ wearing the victory crown coming to be with us forever.

Merry Christmas!

Vince, Verla, Dawn, Mark, Arik & Jené

1972

Hey there!

Life has been full and exciting since I last sat down to compose such an epistle as this. With the sounds of tires spinning in the cold snow, Christmas carols from the radio or the stereo, Rudolph or the Grinch sounding forth from the TV and children's voices: "You know what I want, Mom?" or "I only want this, Mom," we move rapidly on towards that day of all days when our Savior and Lord was born. As we celebrate His birth again this year, may we each receive Him anew each day, and as we anxiously await His second coming, may we each day be prepared for its glory and its finality.

As we watch our children grow and mature, I'm not sure if they are keeping us young or helping us age - a little of both, I presume. Dawn is a sophomore, a cheerleader, in the band and in the chorus, in Youth Choir and Hi League at Church. She was confirmed last May. The boys are beginning to call at the door, but she still tells her dad he is her favorite.

Mark is a freshman, in band and chorus, Jr. Hi League and Confirmation Choir. He will be confirmed in the spring (I suppose). He went out for Cross Country, and will for Track - likes football and basketball but is too small, I guess. He has a morning paper route which makes him early to bed and early to rise, and a man of his own means.

Arik is in third grade, in Cub Scouts, and Children's Choir. He is taking piano lessons - likes to play but hates to practice.

Jené is in first grade, and likes school. She now reads me her bedtime stories.

There have been some changes and some additions around here. Vince has moved his dental office uptown where he is renting space. He has a nice 2-chair office and likes it. In nice weather, he rides his motorcycle (now has a Harley Davidson) or his bicycle. Now that it is colder he walks and carries his noon lunch with him.

The boys are each sleeping in what used to be an operatory downstairs. The waiting room will be a den - we are waiting for carpenters to put in a door. Dawn now has her own room and enjoys the solitude away from a noisy little "sis." Jené also has her own room with its purple shag rug and lilac walls. Those are the changes - now for the additions:

Ebony came to live with us last January. Sometimes she's man's best friend and sometimes man's worst nuisance. I'11 be glad when she gets over chewing - boots, mittens, stocking caps, pencils, ballpoint pens, magazine racks, woodwork, you name it. The kids have enjoyed her, especially Mark.

Last May, my sister Pam got married so we have a new brother-in-law, Bob Bergan. She still works at Luther, he is employed by Western Electric.

And when school started this fall, Peggy came to live with us. She is Jene's roommate, a junior at Luther and from Anguilla (the island we were at in 1969).

Another addition - to our church - a new pastor, Paul Christensen, a man of unending energy. He'll probably shake First Lutheran down to its very foundations.

My parents for the most part are quite well, I was home for a couple of days in the middle of a week a couple of weeks ago - without any of the children along. What a visit we had!

Vince's folks had to give up their apartment last summer and are now living at the Aase Haugen Home, about five miles outside of Decorah. Some days they are fairly content out there, some days not.

1970

Monday afternoon
December 7, 1970

Today as I sit before my typewriter preparing to write our annual Christmas letter I look at the date and see that it is "Remember Pearl Harbor" Day. And it reminds me as we enter Advent season and approach Christmas, our slogan should be to remember Jesus Christ. Remember He whose birth we celebrate; Remember Him - the greatest of all gifts! And as we give our gifts and receive others' gifts, to do so in His Spirit of Love. Merry Christmas!

We don't have a big trip to a lovely island or a far-off paradise to tell you about this year. Our travels last summer were only as far as Brainerd for a two-week stay at a cottage on a lake. We have been spending the past year traveling - in our area - sharing our slides and experiences of the previous summer. In fact, we still, have a couple of engagements to fill in the next two months. Each time we show them and tell about Anguilla it is almost like going back again. Our summer's experiences on the island have followed us in a peculiar way. Luther College has granted to Eleanor (Peggy) Bynoe, an Anguillan, a scholarship; and so she is enrolled as a freshman at the College. Several organizations and individuals have helped contribute to her support. We are trying to be her family away from home - so we see her quite often. She shares with us her good news as well as her bad. Peggy is quite a singer and has been doing some solo work when her studies permit. She will be with us this Thursday to sing for our ALCW Christmas party.

Each year brings some gladness, some sorrow, it seems. My younger brother, Averland, passed away last March - he had suffered with lung cancer for about a year - and we grieve our loss at his death. But we are comforted by being able to be with him some of his last three weeks (as he was hospitalized in Minneapolis) and by knowing that he died in peace, realizing that Jesus Christ is the Forgiver of all sins and the Giver of eternal life.

Otherwise, we are pretty much the same. We see Vince's oldest brother, Spence, and his family, every once in a while. Steve was confirmed in October, so we were to Mason City to help him observe that. Vince was one of Steve's sponsors at Baptism. Lyle, Vince's other brother, was here for a visit Memorial Day weekend and it was so good to visit with him again. Thinking of my brother being gone now, it seems more important to get together with one's family - we just never know about tomorrow. Vince's folks are much the same. They still live in the apartment down the block from us and get along as well as we can expect. We try to get to Windom to visit my folks, but the trips are short and sweet and not as often as we'd (I'd) like. It is fun when we are all there - and we plan to be again during the Holidays.

Our children are growing up faster than we would like to admit - Dawn is a teenager now and in eighth grade. She is involved in so many things - piano, flute, Girl Scouts, 2nd year confirmation. And she is beginning to notice that maybe boys aren't all nuisances. Mark is almost as busy but he has dropped Boy Scouts. He started on the trombone, so he also quit the piano. But he was manager for the 7th grade football team, and is now on the 7th grade basketball team, and in 1st year confirmation. Arik is 6 and in the first grade. He is so enthused since he now can read. Jené is 4 and anxiously waiting for next year so she can go to kindergarten. She goes to Wednesday Church School so she doesn't feel completely left out. She still checks at Mayo every 6 months, and is doing fine.

I am still principal of the Wed. Church School, have been Bible Study leader in my circle, and served on the nominating committee for ALCW (I think that is almost as bad as being president). Vince is resting a year from Sr. Choir but is still teaching 10th grade boys in the Hi School Bible Dept. They have a really, going department. He belongs to the Lions, and to Symra, a local literary society, and with his dental groups keeps busy. His latest excitement is his motorcycle. He bought a Honda 350 this fall and really enjoys it. He is the envy of all the neighborhood kids and they have all had rides. He stlll hunts and fishes and both Mark and Arik like to go along. In fact, we all go fishing. You should have seen Jené's face when we were out fishing once while on vacation. She was pulling in one bluegill after another and having a ball. And if you ask her yet, "Who is the best fisherman of all?" she will answer, "Me!"

As ever,

Vince and Verla,
Dawn, Mark, Arik and Jené