Christmas Letter 2023

Queen Elizabeth II called 1992 her annus horribilis or “horrible year”. This year I easily identify with her to call 2023 my annus horribilis for these reasons:  

• On April 5 my position at a place I loved, plus doing work I loved, was eliminated. 
• At the end of May Renae, my dear friend and housemate, lost her job. 
• By late July we began preparing to move from the Dallas home on the lake we both loved. 
• Dallas had 49 days of 100° in 2023 but seemed like 149! I spent most days outside getting the house ready to sell and keeping the yard looking sharp for potential buyers. 
• The move meant leaving my wonderful group of friends at my Bible Study Fellowship class. I thought I could leave Texas fine, but leaving those dear ladies who had walked with me through so much the previous five years along with other friends was at times gut wrenching. 
• In July I had a long bout of walking pneumonia that I was essentially over when I had a relapse in the middle of October. This slowed my progress getting settled into a new house. If you’ve moved, you know how difficult getting settled is. This move seems to be getting settled on steroids! 
• Now it is early December and after eight months and a major move, I am still looking for a meaningful position. 

 Yes, those all make for a horrible, no good, very bad year, but this is what made for my annus mirabilis, a wonderful year: 

• I got to take several bigger trips this year all planned or taken pre-job loss including going to Charleston for Mark’s older daughter Lauren’s wedding in March. 
• Reconnecting with several cousins, although as is often the case, meeting at the funeral of my dear Aunt Ada, my father’s youngest sibling passed away in September. I am thankful that her relief from a feeble body numbed by dementia means a healed and restored body in the presence of Jesus. 
• Through this journey of unemployment, I have a wonderful support system. Renae, my family, those BSF friends, extended family members, friends in MI and IN, a work friend from my last position, and friends from almost every season of my life regularly check in by text, phone, or Facebook and offer prayer and encouragement. God has always used someone to encourage me during the darkest of days. 
• When we moved to Garland, I told Renae that my next move was going to be to heaven. What can I say? We moved to Alabama!!! (This may be a good time to throw in a big ROLL TIDE!!!) Renae started a job with the MillerKnoll dealer in Birmingham in early August, and we made the move out of the Garland house on Oct. 13. 
• I get to live just over 30 minutes from my sister Mary and her husband Joey as well as three of their daughters and families although everyone is in a different direction of the Birmingham area.
• I’m only about 4½ hours from my parents in SC so visiting them will be much more convenient. 

The highlight of the year was an Atlanta Braves game on July 1 with almost my entire family and several friends, missing two nieces and families plus my parents, for an early—very early—celebration of my milestone birthday. The day was so much fun, and I still smile at the memories. You can see the Braves jersey Renae gifted me to mark the years in the bottom picture. FYI, the milestone itself is NOT a highlight of the year. 

This year Christmas giving for me is going to look far different from all other years, but the greatest gift I get to celebrate is the gift of Jesus Christ coming to earth as a baby. “Lying in the manager, He stares at the stars He created” is still one of my favorite Christmas lines from a church cantata I heard over 30 years ago. During a year that goes back and forth from horribilis to mirabilis, this gift gives me hope and peace. In a world that seems completely upended with turmoil and bad news, may you find hope and peace in this great gift as well. 

 Merry Christmas! 

 P.S. Every holiday letter needs a family update: My parents are doing well while dealing with the challenges of living a long but healthy life and continue in their home in SC. Since Christmas 2022 I have become a great aunt twice over to add to the other six. Andrew’s daughter Addi was only 7 weeks old for the Braves game but the picture below shows her “chopping” with the rest of the crowd! Pictured to the right is James, Haley’s 6-month old son, with Great Aunt Rhoda the morning after the game when I think neither of us was completely awake. My siblings and their families continue to do well. I am excited for two great nieces and a great nephew coming in 2024!