Christmas Letter 2024
I emailed my annual Christmas letter earlier this morning…it’s below this intro.
A couple of days ago I learned that a long-time friend and colleague had passed away earlier this year. Les and I exchanged messages occasionally, but we hadn’t spoken in at least a decade. Can’t turn back the clock…
I’d already decided on the song that I was going to send this year with my Christmas letter before I heard of his death. The news of his passing makes this song even more appropriate.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. Don’t be stingy with your hugs, texts, calls…don’t wait.
-=-=-=
For years I’ve been promising a short Christmas letter. This year I’m delivering on that promise. (Living with Transverse myelitis makes for short Christmas letters.)
There are 2 links at the end…my latest TM update and a song link for those who might be interested.
But first there is this year’s JibJab: https://www.jibjab.com/view/make/feliz_navidad/6f8a706e-bc19-4423-b89d-5ecf63bf148d
I didn’t leave the state of Missouri this year. All our “get aways” were within 90 minutes. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to live in “misery” again, but I’ve always planned for a headstone in the family cemetery outside Doe Run…ashes scattered to several places.
If you should read the blog piece, I hope it doesn’t come across as morose. As I write this, I love EVERYTHING about my life…except for my lack of mobility&stamina and some body parts that are giving me grief. (at least TM didn’t hit me worse…or when I was young…and I continue to thank my lucky stars for Shelly!)
Dad is still hanging in at 98. He has been at my sister’s since mid-september. I hope he gets to go home again to the house he had built in ’91. Like me, he’s still good above the shoulders and can still spin a fine story (although he needs prompting sometimes…).
Shelly had a very nice garden. (I helped some…) Our freezer is stocked with tomatoes. I just ate the last of the sweet peppers. I have always loved sitting on our balcony, looking down on the courtyard and garden boxes.
The highlight of my year was pulling off a surprise birthday party for Shelly. The plan got waylaid 2 years ago when Bruce&Jeanette had covid. It worked like a charm on July 7….Yahoo!
She expected 2 nights at the AirBnb side of the Rock House. 6 of us on the front porch of the Rock House with beer&pizza&stories.
She got a room full of friends, lots of pizza, and music from her favorite local duet. (I’d booked The Shandies last time too…)
I was crowned “King of Sole” again at Wine, Women, and Shoes. Thanks again to all who donated to The Victim Center. I’m hanging up my sole man shoes…no more soliciting.
We had more guests in the apartment in 2024 than b4 TM. Each and every visit was a pleasure, whether it was dinner, snacks, and/or games. We especially appreciated the visits from our Hotlanta bffs.
Every phone call with friends was a joy….especially when my health never came up. More calls in ’25 would be a good thing. I’m at 417-379-6817. There were some good e-mail threads and some cards and letters that made my day. More of each would be nice. {I’m someone who loves receiving Christm as letters….no matter how long!}
BTW: On that headstone: “Enjoy every sandwich. Be. Just Be.”
It’s a wrap. Links below.
Steve
http://slw913.com/transverse-myletis/hanging-inwith-transverse-myelitis/
I’ve loved this song since it was released in March of1989. These lines are truer every day: “Life gets mighty precious, When there’s less of it to waste…”