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Dear Friends and Family,
Merry Christmas! Many apologies to those who follow my annual musings as I never did quite get to the cards last year. As I reopened the box this year, I was a bit struck by the incredibly simple cards that I had purchased. A pretty yet subdued Mary and the Christ Child on the front with only “Merry Christmas” inside. My first thought in wake of the onslaught since Halloween of secular Christmas and its glittered trappings was, “these probably seem simplistic and forgettable.” Cute penguins, snowflakes, snowmen and Santa have replaced angels, trumpets, shepherds and the Holy Family in the stores. The vague “Happy Holidays” and “Season’s Greetings” supplant the traditional hearty and joyous “Merry Christmas”. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to being discouraged. But I also realized these cards were the opportunity to send all my friends and loved ones the two essential, yet often forgotten or intentionally omitted realities of Christmas – Jesus and the wish to share in the joy of His coming. Right now we do need a little Christmas amid all the materialism.
Our family continues to grow, not in number, but in age and hopefully wisdom! Kaitlin is now 20 (how did THAT happen?), a junior at Notre Dame, and settled into a self-designed major in cognitive science, combining her loves for philosophy, psychology and neuroscience. People are her passion and investigating what makes us all tick or tock seems to be her chosen path. While a hand injury forced her to forgo her boxing season (yes our daughter boxes for charity!), she is still physically training for USMC Officer Candidate School this summer. A goodly portion of Christmas break was spent seeking out the perfectly fitting pair of boots to trod blister free along the storied paths of Quantico. Yet first she is embarking on another adventure, studying this spring semester in Angers, France with grand plans for European travel to Lourdes, Normandy, London, Dublin and, of course, Paris. Kaitlin continues to amaze me with her range of experience. She can be soaked in mud one minute and pulling a Jackie O in a cocktail dress the next.
Since my last writing Erin, 19, has graduated from high school and is through her first semester as a freshman at the University of Dallas. Tumbleweeds, armadillos, cacti and literally hundreds of pages of books were all part of the new scenery. Double majoring in English and Drama, she is very happy to have finished the last math class she will ever have to take. She worked backstage for three productions over the course of the semester and is very excited to delve into Milton, Dante and more of our literary tradition in the coming months. Yet still high on her list of great experiences was directing her HS senior theatre project – her one act adaptation of Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince. I’m not sure what impressed me most – her writing, her directing, or her amazing casting skills which place Christopher in his first stage role without a hitch.
Thomas, 17, is midway through his high school senior year and that probably best explains my inattention to writing friends. Sending kids through the college admission process 3 times in 4 years has meant a constant mode of reading application essays and filling out financial aid forms! Succumbing to my heavily pressing thumb, Thomas applied early to college and for an NROTC scholarship and was rewarded with acceptance to Notre Dame and a Marine scholarship in his Christmas stocking! Still in love with varsity sports, Thomas has added lacrosse to his repertoire of activities that make mom worry. He intends to major in Notre Dame Football, I mean history next year, but is first looking forward to calmer senior year now and completing the many words that IB students put to paper. Still the go to guy for the best grilled cheese sandwich in metro DC, he will definitely be missed around the kitchen table.
Christopher now 8, continues to amaze us all. He was the subject of a genetics case study this past winter as he is the first known child with his genetic makeup to be of normal intelligence. Speech and occupational therapy still fill a good part of his learning experience, but he is an active participant in a regular classroom. While struggling with math, memory, balance and visual motor type tasks he is staying on grade level. His spare time is filled with Legos, books, and asking a gazillion questions about everything under the sun. He even had cameo roles in two HS theatre productions last year. Christopher’s greatest gift is still his purity of spirit. Upon opening a birthday card containing 8 one dollar bills, he proclaimed himself rich and immediately said that he needed to share his treasure with the poor and orphaned. Homeschooling him in preparation for his First Communion has been one of the greatest joys in all my years as a catechist.
Karolin is at my favorite age of four. Children at this age are just wonderful in every way. They still think you are an angel, hang on your every word, ask a bazillion questions, and make just as many observations. Karolin’s current aspirations are to go to Dallas to study art and to be with Erin, who forever bonded to her little sis as Karolin’s personal hair dresser last year. Karolin is rather fond of cooking shows and likes to sport her matching apron with Mommy about the stove. And her dad is more than willing to escape the Pentagon early to take her to dance class. Possessing an elephant memory, she is already taking care of her parents in their nearing old age.
Oh about that… well we just don’t think too much about it. Eric is still supporting the FA-18 programs for the Navy at the Pentagon. Running is still his favorite escape, when he isn’t playing SuperDad building Legos, cutting grass, or grilling the best steak in town. I, for the most part, don’t know where my day goes. I think 5 kids in 5 schools across 3 states (soon to be two countries) pretty much covers most of it. My most recent certification on my resume should be in “developmental wellness” because I truthfully don’t think there is an obstacle to raising a child through the public education and health care systems that I haven’t seen. CrossFit and I had to take an unscheduled break for surgery on my foot in September. One too many sprains over the years left me with some torn tendons and ligaments. An extended visit with Eric’s parents was a great benefit, but 4 months without a run is wearing on me. Apparently Eric envied my handicapped parking pass and Thomas’ wild wheelchair driving. In October he pulled his Achilles tight enough to break it and some bone away from his heel. His and her pneumatic boots. How romantic!
Besides making two adventures with Erin to Texas this year, where I was able to reunite with my cousin Amy and her family, I also got home to see my parents last January. (Cue the blinding snowstorm.) While it was nice to see them by myself, it was in the context of visiting my uncle, Peter Glavin who later passed away of brain cancer in April at only 47. He was a gifted distance runner and coach who did much for his sport in upstate NY and is sorely missed by so many people. Unfortunately as well, the mother of Kaitlin’s current beau, Joanne Fagan of Philly, passed away this November of cancer. Two souls that we now entrust to the mercy of the Savior born so meek and mild. Requiéscant in pace.
I sincerely hope that as this letter once again arrives so late to be confused with your W2 form, that your new year is already unfolding many blessings. Whether it is the hushed silence created by a heavy snowfall or cheerful busyness of tending to goals and resolutions, may all the best be yours.
Merry Christmas!
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