Trvalik Christmas Letter 09

It's the weekend before Christmas, the weather has been frigid, and snow is on the way. I'm not worried, though - the tree is up, the gifts are wrapped, the decorations are all in place. But I haven't done it alone.

The kids are now of an age where they can help with the getting-ready-for-Christmas tasks. Cady, 14, enjoys shopping, and has an eye for a bargain. She also took it upon herself to decorate the house, inside and out. Steven, 12, and Sammie, 10, took charge of the tree; their favorite ornaments were candy canes and chocolate snowmen-on-a-string. Ruby, 7, also loved those tasty ornaments, snatching one of each, much to the consternation of her siblings. To make things right, she helped Sammy with gift-wrapping duties.

All the kids made treasures and treats for friends and relatives this year, which eased the shopping burden nicely. They made many of the holiday cards, and might have helped to address envelopes, had I let them. But I like to keep this job for my own. Each name I write on an envelope belongs to a dear family or friend, a sister, a brother, niece or nephew, an Uncle or Aunt. Perhaps we see each other often, and you live just around the corner. More likely, we haven't seen one another in a long while. There are even a few cards sent to folks I have not met - an acquaintance of Bruce whose path I have yet to cross. But I think of each of you for a moment or two - and remember something we've done together, or the last time we chatted, a recent visit, a story Bruce might have shared - some of my favorite moments of the season.

Now all the cards and envelopes are ready, patiently waiting for a letter to be tucked inside. I better get to business - here is our news of 2009.

Cady entered High School this Fall, and seems right at home. She made the freshmen Volleyball team, runs JV track, and hopes to play Softball or Lacrosse come spring. Her weekends are filled with babysitting gigs, and we must reserve her time well in advance if we need her. She earns a pretty penny babysitting; we may not be able to afford her much longer. As always, she is wise beyond her years, much admired by her younger siblings, and quite the bathroom hog on a school-day morning.

Steven is in seventh grade this year, mid-way through Middle School. His grades are excellent although teachers report he is a quiet student. He is an avid baseball player, a starting pitcher on his spring team, very calm and collected on the mound. He played summer ball in a fabulous instructional program in New Hampshire called Sandwichlot - we made many friends, watching Sandwichlot games on warm summer evenings. Steven plays basketball fall and winter at the Boy's Club, could spend all the live long day playing games on the computer, and can't wait for ski season to start.

Sammie is an active and social fifth-grader this year. She is a whirlwind of movement and ideas, never at a loss for something to do or someone to visit, always leaving a trail of debris and destruction as she moves from one activity to the next. She loves to be around younger children, and has her own Mother's-Helper gig right next door on Wednesday afternoons. She plays on the travel basketball team, her height a great asset at last, with many rebounds each game and a winning attitude at all times.

Second-grader Ruby is a charmer, an engaging conversationalist, a tireless singer of songs, and dogged antagonist of older siblings. We still keep a vigilant eye for signs of mischief, recent examples including snowballs stored under the bed, mayonnaise hair beauty treatments, and a lunch bag consisting entirely of one water bottle, one bag of Oreos, and six pieces of Halloween candy. To her credit, Ruby plays piano beautifully, loves every minute of school, and is endlessly generous with hugs and loving.

I keep myself busy with all the things a Mom does - dropping off, picking up, cheering on, washing off, serving up, calming down, putting away, snuggling close, filling in, figuring out, fixing up, taking down, and endlessly folding laundry. I do occasionally help Bruce here and there with painting or sanding or whatnot, and, at every opportunity, I play a nice game of ice hockey two or three times a week. I help at school when needed, and would love to spend more time writing if I could. I am forever busy, and for now, I wouldn't change a thing.

Boston is home to many of the world's leading research universities, and they are all abuzz with creative approaches to age old problems. Bruce fills his days meeting with Clean Tech entrepreneurs and attending conferences at MIT, Harvard, and a host of local professional organizations – when he's not checking that I have not set any thermostats too high. Our renovation project has taken a bit longer than expected as Bruce splits his time between swinging a hammer and saving the world. This summer we managed to complete the exterior of the house, highlighted by stone walkways, walls and a stone faced foundation. Most passers- by pause long enough to compliment us on how seamless the addition looks – just like it's been there forever. We look forward to wrapping up the project by spring so we can enjoy the fruits of our labor and sacrifice.

As we pause to reflect on the year, we are thankful for all that we have, as so many others face much greater challenges. The kids have learned to weather a bit of inconvenience while keeping a goal in sight. They are growing to appreciate that happiness is not sold at Amazon.com; instead, it might best be found in doing something nice for someone else, or within the simple pleasure of swinging on a vine over a pristine lake, or hiking a mountain, in hopes of a beautiful vista.

Our best wishes to you - Mary, Bruce, Cady, Steven, Sammie and Ruby Trvalik