Landry Family Christmas Letter, 2019

Dear family and friends, 

Our main goal for 2019 was to mitigate crises (#landryfamilychristmasletter2018, #crisisyear, #letsnotdothatagain).  For the most part, we accomplished this humble goal.  In fact, I would say our year was primarily filled to the brim with adventure, fun and cuteness, some of my  most favourite things.  

We were blessed to have our Ottawa loved ones join and exacerbate the general Landry brouhaha for Easter, and, back they have come for Christmas!  

I think it’s the cocktails.  

I wish I had had someone who made cocktails in my life when I had small children. I take comfort in knowing I can shore up hardworking parents and lighten the burden of responsibility.                  

Me, and, of course, gin.  

And lemons.  Anyway, I’m sure I don’t have to spell it out. 

The rest of our grandchildren are scattered to the four corners of South Cowichan, and we snuggle and snuffle them regularly.  Favourite quote from our eldest grandson this year, “Mamie, I love you.”  Sigh.

In May, we ventured to France with our youngest four and Aunty.  We loitered about France in a Big Out-Of-Place Van for two weeks, barely missing the rock buildings of the narrow streets whilst playing “spot the guy carrying a baguette down the street.”  It’s a vicious stereotype, but legitimate.  French people on bikes, and walking, individually or in pairs, any time before 10 am, baguette in a paper bag, between their ribcage and their elbow.

There were long days in France when we didn’t know if we would ever get the baguette crumbs out of the rental.

We went to Versailles. 

If The Ordinary People had to wait in the kind of lineups that we endured,

then I have better insight into why The Ordinary People revolted.  

Fortunately, not all of people of France were at Versailles, some were at the Louvre.  

Favourite moments?  The countryside, the fields of flowers, the little towns, the coffee, the dinners, the wine, the people.  So many moments. 

We parted ways with Aunty in Nice, where she headed home and the rest of us headed to Italy to meet Fr. David and the tour group from America for the Eucharist Miracle Tour.  I wish I could put into words what we experienced there.  

More than my poor heart can hold.  

Father D, and our fellow pilgrims, thank you for your friendship and leading us to deeper faith and greater joy.  

And introducing me to Tartufo.  Italy…just stop with the food, okay?   I mean it. 

Our summer passed with its usual adventures and soaking up of sunshine.  With our pony gone to a new home, and a spare paddock just hanging about, we decided to re-purpose it into a large deer-proofed garden.  Rosebud, Sparky and I built garden beds and paths to accommodate all the flora from around the yard that the deer have been eating, and in the spring will add vegetables.  Presently our lovely garden is put to winter’s rest. 

Besides building and moving all the things for me, Sparky is keeping his arteries in good condition with regular sports and this year he hiked the Nootka Trail with Mr. D, Huck and a handful of other Gen Z.  

The professor challenged himself with not one, but two Shakespeare productions, Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing, joining the theatre ranks with Alice and Husband.  Silas challenged himself with another spin at Seat of Wisdom College, where he is having a stellar year.  Huck busies himself with music, St. Thomas Aquinas, decorating his room and vertical growth.  Rosebud spends quiet hours doing quiet things, sewing, painting, drawing, reading, and pursuits of academia including Latin and Greek philosophy.    

With the professor and Silas off at institutes of higher learning, the house is rather empty with just Huck and Rosebud at home.   Sparky works a shorter week now so that I don’t get lonely during the day. 

My musical family (not me) have set up a jam space downstairs room where they make a lot of noise with drums, guitars, ukuleles and voices when they converge at the manor.   The hemorrhage of investment in the arts pays off tenfold.  

And that concludes a crisis-free year. 

Wishing you all the blessings of the season, and all the graces possible for the coming year.    

“To whom much is given, much will be expected.”  Luke, 12:48