2021 Christmas Letter

9 thoughts on “2021 Christmas Letter”

  1. I miss you. Thank you for t updates! Please give Keith a kiss and ask him for one from Jed and I.
    Love, Jed and Jim xx

  2. Alan, thanks so much for the update. So sorry about your kitty. Hope I can get by again this year as I’ll be driving north for Sabbatical.

  3. wow, quite a year…quite a read. That your still writing and not off your rocker in a white jacket in a padded room is astounding. best to you both as this year reveals the wonders of your hard work.

    happy New Year, thanks for sharing.

  4. Best of the New Year Allan and Keith! Each year I read your wonderfully constructed letter I have the same first thought – you should write a novel! It would be an entertaining read.

  5. Hi Alan and Keith,

    HAPPY NEW YEAR! As always, enjoyed your letter and stories. Wow! such an ambitious year. We are so sorry about Cere. We have had our cats too. But now, just one special one. Getting too old to replace our dog. When we had the farm, we did much the same, subdividing the heavily wooded 40 acres, near Lake Mille Lacs eventually, before we sold the whole lot, in north central, Minnesota, as it was time to move on. We do still live on 5 acres, in rural, northern Illinois, with the rolling, corn and bean fields and lots of woods. We are content, as we age out. 78 last August. My husband 81. We have all one level and can pull our car right up to the door, that was a Godsend this last year, as Bob was having issues with falling, that have now been resolved. Was so sorry to hear about your Mom. It sounded like she was really struggling in your letter last year. You’ve accomplished so much in the last year, with so many struggles. We pray, you have a wonderful New Year, and the completion of your great adventure. Looks and sounds wonderful.

    Take good care,

    Edna and Bob

  6. Alan, this could be your 2021.
    Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
    1) To everything there is a season,
    and a time for every purpose under heaven:
    2) a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
    3) a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to break down and a time to build,
    4) a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
    5) a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    6) a time to search and a time to count as lost,
    a time to keep and a time to discard,
    7) a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
    8) a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.
    Bob Powers

  7. Alan – another wonderful, emotional, funny, sad, honest, and beautifully written missive. Thank you. So sorry about Ceres. We love our pets.

    Lots of love to you and Keith. Sign me up, please, for a stay in your guestroom!

    XO
    Jeff

  8. Hi Alan,

    Believe it or not, your Christmas letter sat in my email inbox until today. Teaching 7th graders is pretty much a 6:30AM – 9:00PM job most days, so personal stuff to read gets saved until summer. Today was that day!

    I’m finding myself wondering about how things have progressed since you wrote the letter, and I’ll look forward to your update when the holidays roll around again. I hope that 2022 is moving at a reasonable pace for you and that you and Keith are healthy and happily enjoying your new home.

    All is good here. Mom and Dad celebrate their 60th anniversary on August 4, 2022, and all of the children and grandchildren came to their house this past weekend to celebrate (early). A very good time was had by all.

    Lots of love to you both!

    Chanelle

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