It’s been that kind of year.
This was the first draft of the annual Christmas letter.
Dear Friends and Family,
This is my family.
I think they are still super cute and super great.
We are still super busy.
Merry Christmas,
the Landers.
But it’s New Year’s Eve and the glaring 2009 slot in our Christmas letter book haunts me, threatening insomnia. Besides, it’s been an amazing year…one that deserves at least some documentation.
Thus, the Landers’ cast of characters:
Dawson (10) has the intense, competitive, stubborn look of the first born he is. Such qualities generally serve him well where basketball, football, baseball, and soccer are played. He’s certainly kept us humble in our parenting abilities from day one. We’re thankful for that. We’re so proud of him.
Not sure whether he wants to be an American idol or win the Heisman Trophy, Gabe (9) got a love of music from his dad and a natural athletic grace from me. Ha–just seeing if you’re reading. Both guitars and athletic jerseys line his bedroom wall. Their competition for space reflect Andy’s genes and his coaching.
His face etched with a permanent smile, Max (7) adds a bit of charm and charisma to his own athletic and musical pursuits. Though it’s hard for him, he tries to play it tough. But we can see thru it, especially when he sneaks up close to hold our hands or writes us notes.
Quincy (5) mirrors most Dawson’s intensity and tenacity. The blond ringlets covering his head may suggest some of Max’s charm but in reality belie a strength and fight within him. He’ll need both to face the future. As my dad recently worded it, “Quincy, whose challenges at birth helped launch a sense of greater compassion in all of us, faces some tough choices ahead. His wounded bladder hasn’t been growing as hoped, bringing a sad memory to the surface and causing us to wonder how God can shape something beautiful from this.”
Zeke (4), having clearly adjusting to life in America, asked for a Disney birthday cake this year. Last year, he wanted a “chicken” cake. Some scars of insecurity and fear from the years in the orphanage occasionally rise to the surface. I can’t quite figure out whether the hugs that “paralyze” us are really for us or for him.
Kora (4), herself went from last year’s “shoes” cake to this year’s Barbie cake. Proud of her position as the lone female among the boys, she has enough “attitude” to cover the gap. It’s awesome to see her be child again. In her first years she had assumed an “adult‘ responsibility for Zeke—unhealthy for a 2 year old. Happily for all of us, she’s very much child again.
Following his demanding and often exhausting day, Andy comes home to a demanding and exhausting family. I fear at times that we might kill his muse, but fortunately the music still over overflows, modeling his art for the family, guiding the church, inspiring the community. Few possess his talent and yet he affords all of us the freedom to pursue our passions. He holds us all together, giving so much, requiring so little.
Motherhood and clean water—that’s about it for me right now. Our Water For Christmas effort with charity: water grew into a 30/hour a week volunteer position for me. Which would be crazy, if I didn’t love it so much. The effort brought together the most amazing team of people. And has ignited and expanded within me the motherly instinct that was so natural to include a fight for mothers around the world.
This year is hereby acknowledged and somewhat documented and just in time. I hear the last chimes of 2009.
The Landers
