Christmas Letter

Greetings Friends & Family,

Happy Holidays!  Merry Christmas!  Happy Hanukkah!  Happy New Year! Etc, etc, etc.  

This year, in lieu of individualized, hand-written Christmas cards (which you’ve likely never received from me anyway) you’re all receiving an extra special, albeit mass produced, newsletter-style, type-written note.  I have neither the time, nor the ambition to do anything else.  Furthermore, you will only receive a hard copy of this letter if you are not a Facebook Friend or someone who reads my blog. (femiknitr.blogspot.com)  Perhaps I should have put this at the end as a Disclaimer.  

In the land of Melanie, 2011 has been a very busy year.  From Friday nights dancing with friends at the Union club, coffee and reading breaks at Zootown Brew, frequent and lengthy dog park visits, knitting nights at the Good Food Store, random dates, and weekly shopping trips to my favorite local thrift store Secret Seconds, it seems I have not had a moment of peace.  In between these activities, I also try to fit in textbook reading and working on papers & assignments for my graduate degree in Social Work.  It’s hard to fit everything in, but I find prioritizing helps me balance it all….which is why you see papers and assignments at the end of the list.  And I’m only half kidding.

Reese and Harley have been a constant source of support.  They seem especially helpful on the eve of a Really Important Paper being due.  This is the time they choose to get really excited, pace back and forth, bark incessantly (I think it’s their way of giving me ideas to use in the paper), and repeatedly ask to go outside only to immediately ask to come back in.  The way they both rally to help me in my time of need is truly inspiring.

I also fill my time at a really great place called Tamarack Grief Resource Center where I work really hard as a grief counselor, get paid nothing (in fact I technically have to pay to be there), and can’t wait to go back the next day.  Tamarack or TGRC as it’s called is a non-profit organization that offers support in the form of counseling and bereavement camps for children, adults and families grieving the death of a family member.  I am honored and privileged to be part of their team and complete an internship there.  I’ve never been more excited to do 450 hours of work for free!  

As some of you know (but others don’t because I’m not always forthcoming with such news), I am back together with my previous boyfriend, Kevin.  You may remember him as the Totally Awesome Boyfriend Who Bought Me Good Gifts and Made Me Feel Really Good About Myself…until we broke up.  After a year and a half hiatus, a lot of counseling, and dating around, we have decided to give it another go-round.  Our re-relationship is still rather new, but holds promise.  Recently, when filling out a form at the doctor’s office, I was reminded of just how unique and special our relationship is.  While there are boxes for both “Are you in a new relationship?” and “Are you with the same partner?” there is not one for “Are you dating someone you dated a long time ago that you worked really hard to get over, gave really mean nicknames to because he broke your heart, but his adorable smile and dance moves made you fall for him again?”

2011 was also a year with sadness.  My grandfather John Dekkers, “Grandpa D” died the end of November.  His untimely death at the age of 83 was a poignant reminder of just how fragile and short life really is.  We are all grateful for the time we had with him here on Earth, yet we can’t help but feel robbed and wish for just a few more years.  When asked if he thought this was “The End” Grandpa frequently responded “not just yet.”  There were so many more animals he wanted to hunt, so many more female country stars he wanted to watch on CMT, and so many more inappropriate sexual-innuendo-based rhymes he wanted to sing.  His death left me wondering “What if I only have 52 years left to live?”  I have about a hundred and fifty-two years’ worth of things I want to accomplish.  

I was blessed with 7 incredible days to spend with Grandpa D and my family shortly before he died.  We did our best to celebrate his life and send him off in style with the ever-memorable Beer Party at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility Nursing Home.  If Grandpa D asks for a Bud Light, Grandpa D gets a Bud Light!  I was also blessed to be present during his Extreme Unction, which is not a disease.  It was his final Catholic Sacrament, also known as Last Rites.  Just six short days before his final breath, he prayed along with Father Roc and exclaimed “Amen!” at all the appropriate times…causing Fr. Roc to inquire as to the seriousness of his illness.  Oh yes, Grandpa D kept us all in suspense during his end-of-life, and I bet he wouldn’t have had it any other way.  His death left a void in all our lives, and I for one take great comfort in believing he’s with Nanny, Uncle Mike and Jeremy plotting practical jokes on fellow After-lifers.

So my dear Friends & Family, I hope you are all doing well and that you enjoy this holiday season with gusto!  May you be surrounded by loved ones, filled with delicious food, and feel happy to be alive.  Have a drink for me, and I’ll have one (or two) for you….with any luck we can have them at the same time together!

Love,

Mel