19 January 2011
To: My beloved children
Re: Christmas 2010
This is a belated but sincere, sincere thank you for making my Christmas/birthday such a joyful experience. I have books to read, CD’s to listen to, restaurants for mother and me to enjoy, kitchen knives that can cut anything, special herbs and oils to enhance food plus enough new tennis balls to last the season.
It is always gratifying to feel your love and know you care.
This Holiday season was special in several ways. First, I had an opportunity to meet Riley and Rachel at Temple Square and afterwards visit over a meal at a local restaurant. Second, mother and I were privileged to be at Karla’s and Norm when Jason blessed his and Kristin’s new baby Damon. And third, we had an after-Christmas visit and sleepover with Kui and Mackie and their four children. And I really bled the birthday thing for all it was worth. Damon’s blessing was followed by a birthday dinner. The next day Amelia, Trent, Kristin, Jason and Karla took mother and me to Dodo’s restaurant for another birthday celebration with gifts that included special cooking items such as Dried Tomato Pesto With Almonds, etc. The following Saturday Craig also had a birthday dinner that included Kim and Sean and Jana and the girls plus Norm and Karla and a young student from the “Y” Norm knew who wasn’t going home for Christmas. The dinner was followed by my being a guest at a BYU basketball game with Craig and Nate and Spencer and Preston.
We also had the privilege of visiting with Kim’s out-of-town children (Cole and Kristi from Nevada, Tim and Jordan from Denver, Teral and Eddie from Milwaukee). (We got to see Conrad and Debbie and their children at Thanksgiving). There was also a Christmas breakfast at Kim’s, a lunch at Craig’s that included a young lady from Albania who Craig and Sandy knew on their mission. That evening mother and I brought out all our Christmas goodies plus some cooked items and hosted a buffet..
New Year’s was the usual snoozer for mother and me. But at l1 p.m. I just happened to tune into PBS in time to see a series, “Pioneers In Television”. It was fabulous! Got to see some of the old-time comedians and variety shows and early late-night hosts. We didn’t get to bed until one a.m.
Anyway, it was a wonderful holiday and I thank you deeply for the part you all played in making it so wonderful.
Much, much love - Dad
