There’s something to be said for tradition. . . on December 13, and Karen and Patrick spent 90 minutes reading through fourteen years of Christmas Letters.  After a few days reflecting, we realized one consistent theme was how busy we are.   That even carried over into the first half of 2021, but we’ve taken the second half of the year to slow down and reflect.

Joshua is thriving this year, as a sophomore.   He has a few teachers this year that he had last year, and they say there’s a night-and-day difference.   He’s coming out of his shell and doing things we never thought he’d do – he’s rehearsing tomorrow evening with a team of scouts so that in January he can begin performing at Cub Scout Arrow of Light Ceremonies.   He’s been working this fall as an instructor, teaching younger scouts knife and axe safety and especially cooking.   Joshua’s working on his last required merit badge for Eagle Scout and will be completing his service project in the spring.  Joshua’s highlight for the year, though, has to be talking his mother into having all four of us attend the Sabaton Concert in St. Louis in September.  (If you’ve never heard of Sabaton, look them up on YouTube!).   Joshua has finished off his year in a flurry in the kitchen, including making Thanksgiving Dinner for the four of us, almost completely without help.   Just last week he made a batch of fudge for the young Cub Scouts he’s working with, and NINE loaves of bread to take to his teachers.

In his Junior year, John’s continuing to focus on serving others through scouting and has been recognized.   In February, John earned his God and Life religious award, making him one of the 1% or so of Scouts to earn the religious awards for each age group.  He was also recognized in March as “Titan of the Month” for his class at Glenwood High School.  In August, he found that he would have the opportunity to become a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, an honor society within scouting.   He completed his vigil on a very cold night on Thanksgiving weekend.  Vigil Members are given a name reflecting the reasons they are chosen for their honor – John’s is “Newo Pennauweleman” which translates to “He who is Always Willing” due to his willingness to serve others.  John’s driver’s license came right at the new year and in November, we added a third car to our household.  He’s thrilled to be driving his mom’s old car, with new “Eagle Scout” plates.  He’s also starting to think about colleges.

Karen’s has had big changes this year – she left her job with Sangamon County in March and started back in the counseling field in April as a counselor working with children and families for ABC Counseling in Springfield.   She’s had a few more health challenges this year, culminating in surgery on November 22 to remove her remaining ovary.  Recovery has been slow, and painful, but she’s going back to work on Monday December 20.   She was even more thrilled than John when we became a three-car household, since she gets to drive the new one – the Jeep Wrangler she’s wanted for years.

After almost a full year of working from home, Patrick started back to the office at the Illinois Department of Transportation once a week in January.   His job responsibilities changed some at the first of the year also – he’s working about 1/3 of the time for manager’s manager doing system analysis and disaster recovery planning.  He’s given up support of IDOT’s payroll system and is focused on re-design of several other accounting systems.   His biggest focus, of course, has been on his service as a Volunteer Scout Leader.  After summer camp in July, he’s back off from working with the boys’ troop in order to serve as the District Membership Chair, while still working as a Unit Commissioner with now six troops and three cub scout packs.  He’s also been working on the highest level of Commissioner Training.  He will be teaching a course in March at the Gateway Commissioner College.  (Ironically, he’ll be teaching a course on “building meaningful relationships” – but the course is online only.)  The BSA has recognized Patrick this year, as well, with the Distinguished Commissioner Service Award in February and as a James E. West Fellowship holder in December.

The first half of the year, we continued our travel habits from 2020, with a February trip through Kentucky, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.  Our trip was cut short by a blizzard, precluding our much-anticipated visit to Lookout Mountain and other sites in Chattanooga . . . so we went back to Chattanooga for spring break.  This brings us to 25 states visited and the District of Columbia since the start of 2020.  (You CAN travel during quarantines, if you’re willing to eat picnic style and not interact with other people!)  But we have slowed down our travel in the fall. 

Of course, the most momentous event for the year was the July 27^th death of Patrick’s father, after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.  It was good to see family again, even if not for a reason anyone wants to share.  Ron was buried in a common grave with Patrick’s mother at Camp Butler National Cemetery, with full military honors, thanks to the American Legion and the Illinois National Guard.   Ron and Sandy have been memorialized at their church with a tree in the southwest corner of the lot, within site of the memorial trees they planted for their own parents.

We’re hoping that this letter finds all of you celebrating the joy of the season and enjoying good health.

 

Patrick, Karen, John and Joshua

 

John with his Vigil Award

 

John, age 17    

                     

Joshua, Age 16

 

Karen and Patrick