Nothing can be added to something so beautiful.... Made us all feel fuzzy and warm.. If I'm playing high and low this morning then reading your beautiful Christmas message has left me with the highest of highs..
What a tale! Thanks for reaching back to find this one for us. Timeless tidings, true, but don't our children lives race past us? Telling these stories slows down time.
By the way, you should write other people's end-of-year letters, or offer consultation.
"Telling these stories slows down time." That's so true, though I had not thought of it that way. My end-of-year letters have given way to much shorter and less creative efforts. The red pen might need a lube job before I could take it back out on the road. Ha! Happy Yule to you all!
What a fantastic letter, Elizabeth. I’m so glad you pointed me here! Loved reading this. I’m charmed by so many things, including the presence of the friendship bread starter. I love that your family had a high-low tradition. That’s beautiful. So many quotable moments here, but this sets the stage: wonderfully: “the chaotic charm of the daily ride.”
Absolutely legend - what a relief to read that I am not the only one NOT having a relaxed slow motion Christmastime as I lovingly string a few dried cranberries around the cat's litter box and have some aromatic mulled wine on-the-go - at all times - for those drop-in guests ...
This was so great to read, so grounding, so honest, so hilarious!
Happiest Holidays to you and yours and thank you Elizabeth for keeping it real xo
Life is such a vivid tapestry. I’m so thankful for reaching an age where things are less chaotic, less exhausting and where my emotions are on a more even keel. When we look back, it’s amazing that we cope! Highs and lows every single day.
It’s Christmas morning already over here. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes for the day and year ahead. Take care dear Elizabeth.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Beth. You're right to claim a bit of credit for what you've endured to get where you are now. Though not necessarily difficult by some standards, every life has its share of pain and pleasure, tragedy and triumph. A vivid tapestry for sure!
Your exceedingly ordinary recounts are extraordinary in my book. And your title made me want to break out in "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Never a bad thing!
Ha! I can't remember when I chose that title if I found myself in the same earworm zone, but now they are forever linked. How DO you measure, measure a year? One way is in the people who've made you feel happy and seen. By that standard, this has been a tremendous year, thanks in no small part to you!
Gee. I wish you were my mom. Pancakes every day? No. It's not about pancakes, and our age difference would make it impossible. I think I am a bit older! But I must say, not having come from a family that sent holiday epics through the postal service (because we were Jewish? Not sure). But if I were going to receive a holiday compilation of a family's life events for an entire year, I'd want it to come from you, 'cause, gurl, you write a damn good letter. I hope you have a wonderful 2026. Do you still send these out? Can I get on your list if you do? I love the eye-rolling donkey, btw. I feel like that a lot lately. Big hugs, you! xo
Ha - thanks, Nan! I stopped sending letters of this length a long time ago, Nan, partly because I couldn't ever seem to make the time and partly because I wasn't sure anyone other than my mother had time (or desire) to read them. Not that moms don't matter. While I was absolutely not the sort making pancakes everyday, my mom taught me that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. I gave up breakfast in my 50s, and she never really got over it.
I think we are pretty close in age; I was born in '62. Next year, the eye rolling donkey might make the cover of my holiday note. 😏
1961 for me! I want to see the eye-rolling donkey, and I want to go on your snail-mail list unless you reprint the card as a post! I'm sorry your mom was sad about your decision to forego your break-fast repast. I've never been much of a morning eater. xo
Yes. The sun keeps rising, starting a new day. Thanks for your stories. Happy holidays to you and yours. Stay well and keep writing!
And the picture is wonderful!
Thanks, Susanne! New days and new beginnings. Thank goodness for the light.
Best holiday letter ever.
And a tradition (aka: obligation) I have, for now, let go. Nice to have this one, and others, to revisit. Thank you, Roe. Merry, happy, joy!
Nothing can be added to something so beautiful.... Made us all feel fuzzy and warm.. If I'm playing high and low this morning then reading your beautiful Christmas message has left me with the highest of highs..
What a delightful message, Barry. Goodness, thank you.
Paul & me wish you and Jim a very happy Christmas and new year!🎄❤️
Likewise from us here. Thank you, Susan.
Lovely real-life stories.Thanks!
Tom and Linda
Real life has a way of being more than a little messy, right? Thank you, Tom.
Every. Single. Day.
Yes!
What a tale! Thanks for reaching back to find this one for us. Timeless tidings, true, but don't our children lives race past us? Telling these stories slows down time.
By the way, you should write other people's end-of-year letters, or offer consultation.
Shine on, Friend.
"Telling these stories slows down time." That's so true, though I had not thought of it that way. My end-of-year letters have given way to much shorter and less creative efforts. The red pen might need a lube job before I could take it back out on the road. Ha! Happy Yule to you all!
What a fantastic letter, Elizabeth. I’m so glad you pointed me here! Loved reading this. I’m charmed by so many things, including the presence of the friendship bread starter. I love that your family had a high-low tradition. That’s beautiful. So many quotable moments here, but this sets the stage: wonderfully: “the chaotic charm of the daily ride.”
Absolutely legend - what a relief to read that I am not the only one NOT having a relaxed slow motion Christmastime as I lovingly string a few dried cranberries around the cat's litter box and have some aromatic mulled wine on-the-go - at all times - for those drop-in guests ...
This was so great to read, so grounding, so honest, so hilarious!
Happiest Holidays to you and yours and thank you Elizabeth for keeping it real xo
And it never ceases to amaze me how quickly those days fly by! Happy holidays.
Every single day...there is indeed a star to follow❤
Please consider posting this each year! What a memorable collage of moments. Follow that star, wherever it is. Happy holidays to you.
Same to you, Stewart! I appreciate you.
Life is such a vivid tapestry. I’m so thankful for reaching an age where things are less chaotic, less exhausting and where my emotions are on a more even keel. When we look back, it’s amazing that we cope! Highs and lows every single day.
It’s Christmas morning already over here. Sending heaps of hugs and best wishes for the day and year ahead. Take care dear Elizabeth.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Beth. You're right to claim a bit of credit for what you've endured to get where you are now. Though not necessarily difficult by some standards, every life has its share of pain and pleasure, tragedy and triumph. A vivid tapestry for sure!
Wishing you and your family all the best this holiday. I am so grateful we were matched together back then.
Yes, indeed, Teresa. Sometimes things just feel like they were meant to be. Happiest wishes to you this holiday season.
Your exceedingly ordinary recounts are extraordinary in my book. And your title made me want to break out in "Seasons of Love" from Rent. Never a bad thing!
Ha! I can't remember when I chose that title if I found myself in the same earworm zone, but now they are forever linked. How DO you measure, measure a year? One way is in the people who've made you feel happy and seen. By that standard, this has been a tremendous year, thanks in no small part to you!
Gee. I wish you were my mom. Pancakes every day? No. It's not about pancakes, and our age difference would make it impossible. I think I am a bit older! But I must say, not having come from a family that sent holiday epics through the postal service (because we were Jewish? Not sure). But if I were going to receive a holiday compilation of a family's life events for an entire year, I'd want it to come from you, 'cause, gurl, you write a damn good letter. I hope you have a wonderful 2026. Do you still send these out? Can I get on your list if you do? I love the eye-rolling donkey, btw. I feel like that a lot lately. Big hugs, you! xo
Ha - thanks, Nan! I stopped sending letters of this length a long time ago, Nan, partly because I couldn't ever seem to make the time and partly because I wasn't sure anyone other than my mother had time (or desire) to read them. Not that moms don't matter. While I was absolutely not the sort making pancakes everyday, my mom taught me that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. I gave up breakfast in my 50s, and she never really got over it.
I think we are pretty close in age; I was born in '62. Next year, the eye rolling donkey might make the cover of my holiday note. 😏
1961 for me! I want to see the eye-rolling donkey, and I want to go on your snail-mail list unless you reprint the card as a post! I'm sorry your mom was sad about your decision to forego your break-fast repast. I've never been much of a morning eater. xo