holiday greetings

My mom writes an annual holiday letter to friends and family each year, and I always like to approve it beforehand in case she writes something horrible about me and I have to ask for a retraction. I like my section this year, but I feel bad for my dad because my mom ratted him out and now all our extended family will know he reads geeky computer magazines. and now you know too. Here it is.


"Someone actually had to tell me that this was the month of December the other day while I was writing a check out for October. When you live in an area where there are no visible season changes, you really can’t rely on the weather or the crispness in the air to remind you the holidays are quickly approaching. Come to think of it, the only way to confirm which holiday is approaching is to take a trip to the mall to see which decorations are hanging from the ceiling. Oh yeah, the other give away is the multitude of cheddar cheese popcorn tins that magically appear in the break room at work.

This year has been an interesting one for Matt because it was his “crunch” time when he had to decide what his career will be. After meeting with his guidance counselor and weighing all his strong points, he finally came to the decision to become a zoologist. In fact, he liked the idea so much that he decided to go into film instead. He’s not exactly sure what he wants to do in film, but you can bet it won’t have anything to do with math, even though he’s doing surprisingly well in the subject. So…maybe he’ll really become a math major? “HA-HA-HA-HO-HO-HO!”

Sarah, on the other hand is having a huge “freak out.” She is now a senior at USC. I know…I know what you’re thinking. They sucked at the football game against UCLA. Hope you didn’t bet any money on that game! Enough said about that, back to Sarah. She’s, how shall I say, apprehensive about leaving her safe little “school cocoon” world and entering the real one instead. I say, “Pishaw!” What better place for a new graphic designer to get a job doing movie posters and trailers than in LA? Her plans are to work for a year or two, then go back to school for her masters degree. Then after she gets her masters, she could go to Emily Posts finishing school for girls and learn to whip out gourmet vegetarian meals and thread a needle. “HA-HA-HA-HO-HO-HO-!”

Rick is doing well, but sometimes I worry about him. You know those weird, never seen before magazines that come in the mail around the holidays? Well, one arrived the other day entitled, “The Almost Geek Magazine.” It had page after fun filled page of computer type gadgets. Sad to say, he grinned bigger than the Cheshire Cat from Alice In Wonderland and went away with it tucked under his arm. I saw it again in the bathroom reading rack where it still remains today. He’s still at JBL and this year, will be taking Matt to his annual company Christmas party. Last year Sarah went with him, so I guess next year will be my turn again. “HA-HA-HA-HO-HO-HO-!”

As for me, well I guess the most exciting thing that happened other than going back to Jersey after a thirteen year absence to see my nephew get married, was starting my own group of fearless writing warriors. What started out to be just three is now a whopping gang of seven. We meet once a week and push ourselves to finish our works of art. And who knows, maybe next year you’ll be getting a personally signed novel from me instead of a letter. “HA-HA-HA-HO-HO-HO-!”

It never hurts to dream or try something new. Focusing on a career, stepping out into the world, dreaming of geek gadgets or having a story become a novel could all become a reality.

“Happy holidays to all and the best of New Year’s.”