In the thick of it

Dear Laurel,

   This week is like a grand houseparty for my family--a visitor from the other side of the world, two grown up kids back from far away, and the one who has been here all along leaving for England while everyone else is still here.  Even though Christmas Eve is still to come it feels like we must have passed it days ago--with good food, Grandpa's prayers at the table, games, and stories from all the worldwide experiences, everyday has been a high point.    The midnight Christmas Eve service will be the diamond in the crown, though, with songs of joy and quiet thanks for the Unspeakable Gift.  Wishing you the dearest of Christmas blessings~

All my best,
Kate

Lemon Pie

Dear Friends,

I made this pie to celebrate what would have been my father's 80th birthday.  He died so long ago that I can't even begin to imagine him in old age.  In our family we remember our dearly loveds on their birthdays by doing something they enjoyed or by preparing their favorite food.  It's a wonderful way to keep the good memories flowing, and to teach the young ones about those who are already gone.  I emphasize the idea of good memories.  The story of life with my father is not an easy one.  We lived through a kind of hardship that most people could not, and did not begin to understand. When I was in college he asked me to forgive him for being the kind of father he'd been.  I agreed; I knew there was no other way for me to live.  When I said yes I had no idea of the journey ahead.  I didn't realize that I'd have to forgive him over and over again--every time I remembered or thought of the bad times, I'd have to return to my commitment to forgive and then say yes, again. I do not regret the commitment or the hard work of it.  I'm able to enjoy the memories of the good things, I've been able to tell my kids an honest but healthy version of the real story, and best of all when my dad died we were friends.  I was pleased to honor my father on his birthday, and I look forward to seeing him in heaven where all things will be made new.

All my best,
Kate

Transition

Dear Laurel,

  Sometimes I wonder if we are the first generation to struggle so hard with the transition of aging and everything that comes with it.  People are talking about it everywhere I go.  It seems that it's a surprise no one was expecting--at least we didn't expect it to feel like this.  Culturally we're caught between those who worked in one job for a lifetime and those who expect to change careers at least five times, parenting is over, and relationships have changed--it's no wonder we feel a nagging unrest.  My grandparents told me all about life and growing older, but they didn't mention this in between part that has us on the road to somewhere we've never been before.  Maybe we're the first ones, or maybe we're just learning to talk about it.

All my best,
Kate

Their own story

Dear Sonja,

  Remember when the three looked like this? Happy times.  While I was taking all those pictures over all those years I never imagined how important this record would be--to them, as teen agers and now as adults. They have memorized every picture. When they come home on various occasions it's not unusual to find them cozied up with the stack of albums, drawn into their own story.  The pictures have helped to give them a good sense of who they are--more than worth the cost of film developing.

All my best,
Kate