Ho Ho Ho,
Happy Christmas and so long 2013! Well, its that time of year again when its cold, days are short, the year is coming to a close and we seek the shelter, warmth and love of family and friends. If you’re reading this we send big love, hugs, kisses and wishes that you find loads of Lindt balls in your stockings. Writing this year from Lewes, for the first time, where we are spending our first Christmas at home with special guest, Oma, visiting enroute to Paris to celebrate a special birthday with Tante Willy and seeking respite from the deep midwestern chill-for 6 weeks anyway.
Before we start on the updates and other nonsense know this, apparently if you’re reading this before dinner on Christmas Day you’ve already eaten your daily calorie intake and will start the New Year some 6 lbs heavier, you pig! Who cares? Not me, feast and watch football all day anyway but maybe take a walk as well, a nap if you can manage and your favourite Christmas movie. As always we recommend Elf.
Cutting to the chase:
William, now 9 as of December 4, celebrated a meticulously planned and hugely anticipated sleepover/birthday party with 7 friends, an indoor tent/fort and the mother of all birthday cakes. At school he’s in Year 4, a Lemon Lobster, meaning more homework and additional after school clubs including outdoor, table tennis and gardening. These in addition to choir, drama, swimming and field hockey(ish) keep him out of trouble. But still unwilling to go to sleep when we tell him. Otherwise, parents and child are both awkwardly, fumbling with our little guy getting older. While he’s still a Santa believer, shortly after his birthday he told me that he doesn’t want putting to bed anymore because”You know if you’re still doing it when I’m like 20....” Couldn’t refuse that logic so I offered to go but “Maybe we’ll start tomorrow” has turned into weeks. Though now we just read quietly to ourselves. I fear with time inevitably flying by we’re going to start to lose our little man but until he stops grabbing my hand when we walk down the street, I’m not going to stop taking it.
Marian continues to stimulate ear drums in the audiobook world and will soon be an Audible Approved Producer hopefully opening the door to more lucrative and she would eagerly add higher quality material to choose from for your listening pleasure. We’ve upgraded her equipment this year and have a giant steel box, professional VO booth, in the house so that’s been really fun. Otherwise, dreams of a doggy companion for walks on the downs and a campervan occupy the rest of her time.
I have spent the last 9 months in UK immigration bureaucratic limbo but expect 2014 will provide for a result and the ability to leave the island. Managed to randomly join a basketball league playing for the Lewes Wanderers. Attempting to show the 20 somethings how its done led to a sprained MCL just in time for “league” commitment to start so that was fortunate. Anyway, this year I’ve resolved to raise my game in the kitchen and cook more or at least cut my vegetables correctly to complement my already legendary eating and cleaning up skills and learning html.
This year marked the passing of two giant patriarchs; my grandfather, Jacob Van Namen, who was truly one of a kind and impacted my life, and many others, profoundly-an incredible, legendary man. The other and more recent freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, whose story is remarkably redemptive in its place and time but fear will never be repeated, regrettably.
Its also been almost a year since we lost Julia, Marian’s brother’s partner and William’s much loved Auntie, who we continue to miss for her brilliant sense of humor, contagious laugh, unforgettable smile and special way with Will.
Finally, for our annual Person of the Year, Time Magazine was not far off the mark in selecting rebel humanist Pope Francis. However, its first in the shortlist, Edward Snowden, is my pick for lifting the lid on the reality of the modern security state in the aftermath of the war on terror. His actions took conviction and ethical clarity that highlights the cowardice of those public servants who knew and failed to correctly maintain the rights of citizens. Both represent a rebalancing, blowback from previous choices, shaking up consensus to raise questions about the direction of society. Which has inspired this years theme of rebalancing that has filled my thoughts and inspires hope against the struggle with powerful, institutional authority common throughout modernity. Hope that in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles or lethargy people can make a difference. I’m all in for that and expect more to come in 2014! Which is why while exempting all Chicago sports teams, I’m deeming 2014: This Is The Year! What that means is up to you.
Now that I’ve properly made a mess of this letter and strayed far enough from its purpose without hope that you’ll ever read an entry again all that is left to say is goodbye. As always, if you’re ever in this part of the world do come knock on our door, we’ll probably let you in. All the best for a happy and healthy 2014.
Big Love & all the best,
Bryan, Marian and William
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