Christmas letter 2016

Welcome to Christmas 2016, plain and unvarnished.

Oxford Dictionaries named “post-truth” the word of the year. Evidently it describes “circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Fortunately, you’ll have none of that here; just clear, objective facts to move you.

Whiskers the cat was 15 when his kidneys failed and the vet euthanized him as we wept; Diabla the cat-walrus is 10 and totters toward morbid obesity. If we become like our pets, then we’re crippled, fat, whiny, & nearly dead. But just look at the enclosed family picture to know better! (Picture not included.)

Family travel is fun! (mostly) But not Hannah’s surprise summer visit; she got to Fort Hall before the engine head melted. (Thanks to Aunt Carma for meeting her at the exit ramp—we got a nice visit with her family in the aftermath.) Also not fun, a series of trips to Utah to help Brooke replace said vehicle—twice, since the first replacement failed within a week. Much more fun was the full-family trip to Oregon soon thereafter. We visited Morgans in Medford before lounging at a lovely house on the beach at Bandon for several days. Sure love the beach at morning, midday, and evening, even when cool, misty, or windy. Whales, seals, birds, rocks, lighthouses, and a petting zoo added to the fun. In April we finally took Brooke back to her mission in Louisiana. We loved meeting some of the people who enriched her service in 2009-10, enjoyed historic sites in New Orleans and beyond, and marveled at the gators and eagles who performed for chicken parts on our swamp tour south of Houma. That month we took Hannah to Arches NP, which was also spectacular and inspiring.

Maria says that graduation is more important than travel. (Yeah, right!) Jordan, then Hannah, then Hailey graduated from college this year. They all got jobs, some more than one, more or less related to their majors, and we enjoyed the visit with Hailey’s family when they came for commencement. Jordan skipped his graduation but watched his sister and wife receive diploma covers. He works for Porter’s Craft and Frame (on salary); Hailey works for Docutech (in Idaho Falls); and Hannah works at Springville Art Museum and Al Rounds’ Studio (in SLC). Hannah also checked out the national museum market in Washington, D.C. (a tad discouraging). But last month she enjoyed California, where a business card from one museum gets you into other museums for a smile. Riley got promoted at Vivint Solar due to his sunny disposition. Brooke lost a job she’d grown to hate but soon found a better job at a better wage—and they like her too. Hooray for jobs! (and breaks) Brooke and Hannah are regular patrons of the arts—visual and performing. Maria volunteers; I watch TV. Jordan and Hailey work a lot and play with their cats, who occasionally visit as proxies for grandchildren.

Hannah dyed her hair reddish and it looks “real good.” Jordan grew a beard (now gone again). Maria cut her hair short and dyed it “mahogany” (also reddish) and it looks “real good.” The rest of us maintained the status quo ante, except that I grew a mustache for a month, which made me look older and weaker. Brooke may well have tweaked nature’s design a tad on the hair front. As for Hailey and hair, I’m not really sure, but she often does yoga so that could be a clue of some kind.

Hannah wants you to know that she voted for Hillary Clinton. I want you to know that the 1st Amendment is bigger than elections (and write-in votes are fun). Maria wants you to pray for the preservation of the republic. Jordan wants you to buy more craft supplies at Craftmore.com. Brooke wants to marry an auto mechanic or millionaire. Riley wants solar energy to survive a new administration; also healthy ankles. Hailey wants someone to finally accept an offer on a house.

Lastly, remember that true hope rests in Christ—comfort for a “post-truth” world in commotion.

Merry Christmas from the Thomas family!