Christmas 2022

Gentle reader,

“Say something funny, Uncle John,” commanded Anna, our pre-school neighbor. Typically a few words of nonsense will satisfy her, but Maria requires a higher standard, or at least half-baked witticisms in English. I wish I had something really funny or witty to say, but as our multi-millionaire athletes advise us (in their earthy wisdom), “it is what it is.”

Some friends send us pictures of their family fun, more efficient than labored prose. So try to visualize something magical in this series of word-pictures: John snowshoeing up the Table Mountain face trail on a sunny February day, only to meet gale-force winds, a ground blizzard, and no view of the Tetons at the top. All of us visiting the gargantuan Kennecott open-pit mine (in what is left of Bingham canyon) to celebrate Maria’s birthday. The loving mother spending weeks of summer attending to Brooke after another sinus surgery, leaving John to pick, process, and distribute gallons of raspberries. Jordan growing hair to his shoulders and whiskers like a pirate. Hannah traversing Utah after she was hired as the state’s public art coordinator (she especially likes Vernal and Moab, but art is everywhere). Brooke working with sixty kids in elementary school as a speech therapist (where she’s certified as clinically competent, unlike the rest of us). Hailey leaving a company whose leadership needed more HR training to join a startup founded by HR colleagues from three jobs before, still working remotely. Jordan and friends playing board games and video games in Island Park cabins (so little to do outdoors). Maria and John sitting on the last row of folding chairs in the cultural hall at church, sometimes able to help stray children. Hannah bringing her cat to Mimi (her grandma) for therapeutic visits. Brooke driving to Rexburg to raise the level of educational engagement for preschoolers at our house. Hailey leading a choir, singing solos, and climbing rock walls. John holding forth about rotten Idaho laws at a conference on religious freedom in church history. Most of us joining a big Thomas reunion in Colorado in July, Maria very anxious there and at pretty much any venue where people gather and breathe, even though she spends hours each week in close quarters with three rambunctious germ magnets. Jordan running a company whose service the clients want without paying, cat on lap in his home office. John hitching a ride back to the car after a long one-way hike at Waterton, Alberta (contrary to law, they say). I remember best what John did (like teaching, hiking, swimming), but doubtless there’s more to everyone’s year, though our family is modest in size and in ventures. Also, Maria says I don’t listen that carefully, so there are probably some important omissions.

Next year will be bigger, right? The sisters talk of a European trip. I was thinking about some museums of Black history. Maria is most excited to be home. Jordan and Hailey will likely visit relatives in Las Vegas and she’ll snowboard and his posse will return to Island Park for indoor games. I note that the 75th anniversary of the state of Israel approaches, so that should be interesting. Sports will continue to profit a few.

Peace on earth, good will to men? Let’s hope so. Whatever happens, may you find joy in the journey from this Christmas to next. Much love,

John and Maria Thomas