Tonight I am rerunning one of my Christmas letters because I had a conversation with a friend the other day about being a Grinch and it reminded me of this letter I sent out in 2000. Let me set the stage. In Dudleyland, we were living in Salem, we had all of our kids. Tyler was 11, Trent was 8 and Megan was 2. Below is what I sent out as our Christmas letter for Christmas 2000:
Ode to the Grinch
Everyone down in Salem liked Christmas a lot
But the Grinch who lived just west of Salem did not.
Hate isn't the word, "dread" describes it better,
the shopping, the baking and of course that letter.
It could be she didn't quite know where to start.
It could be, perhaps, she didn't have the heart.
But whatever the reason, no one dared ask,
she sat there in November dreading the task.
A half marathon in January had Annie's fingers nervously drumming,
gale force wind and rain made the whole experience quite numbing.
Basketball, baseball, football and soccer for the boys boys boys...
driving them to and from, watching oh the joys joys joys!
In March there was an Elmo cake and lots of presents too.
Little Meggie Moo is now more than two.
Trent turned eight with a party at the gym,
quite the little man, we're sure proud of him.
Summer was filled with trips of camping and the beach,
spending time with grandparents is a goal we like to reach.
Bruce and Annie ran Hood to Coast, a tradition they wish to keep,
they had a blast and remain married despite many miles and lack of sleep.
Bruce spent two weeks in Hawaii, that military duty is quite a chore,
Annie hopes to join him next year frolicking on the shore.
Wizard friends joined Tyler for a Harry Potter birthday.
He's eleven now, our young man gets bigger every day.
That brings us to November, where the Grinch, with a grin
said "I'll skip the dumb letter" her voice with chagrin.
When she heard a small sound rising over her gloom,
it wasn't a sad sound or the voice of doom.
It was her little blonde daughter, her voice filled with love,
singing "Jesus loves me" like the coo of a dove.
And the Grinch sat perplexed at her blank piece of paper,
was this the true meaning of the whole Christmas caper?
It wasn't about presents or baking or a letter,
the reason for Christmas was oh so much better.
She composed a quick poem to give to all of you,
with the strength of ten grinches, plus two!
Merry Christmas to all our loved ones and have no doubt,
this message to you: Remember what Christmas is about.
So, that was my Christmas wish back in 2000 and remains pertinent this year too. Sometimes it seems like all the activity of Christmas can be overwhelming, but try to remember the true sentiment of Christmas. I hope you are all enjoying the season.
Dudster
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