Christmas 2005

As many of you know, I have been writing the “Official Nelson Family Christmas Letter” for many years. Just before starting to type, I always read the letters from years past. After completing that exercise this year, I am reminded of one inescapable fact of life. I am not getting any younger. Now, I know I am by no means old. However, I have reached the stage in life where I recognize the utility of a nose-hair trimmer. Fortunately I am not old enough to have actually bought one. Perhaps next year that will change. If it does, perhaps that would be a great topic for next year’s letter. I am sure you will find out in due time.

 

Nonetheless, for so long we have been celebrating the birth, growth and life of our family. As we all know, there are two sides to life and this year we had to take pause as two members of our extended family left us.

 

In February of this year, Laura’s sister Patricia Brandt Fernandez passed away after a six-year struggle with cancer. Though not entirely unexpected, her passing at the youthful age of 53 was quite tragic. Watching Patricia’s immediate and extended family, I am reminded that funerals are a celebration of life and a life well lead.

 

In June of this year, my grandfather on my father’s side, Nevlyn Richard Nelson, also passed away. Though the passing of someone who is in their 90’s does not have the same tragic element as someone who is much younger, it was still quite a sad moment. Growing up, he was a larger than life figure that permeated my formative years. I will miss him.

 

With that in order, here is the Nelson family update.

 

Margaret, our oldest child, is now 9 years old. She is a third grader at Dove Elementary studying under the tutelage of Mrs. Brown. She is an excellent reader and is also solid at math. Recently she has taken to knitting as a hobby. She enjoys it and has improved dramatically. She is also active in her Brownie Girl Scout troop and is a prestigious member of the “Team Green” recycling program at school. Yet again, she is in the Christmas choir at our church. She wishes all of her friends a “Merry Christmas.”

 

Cal, our middle child, is 6 and is in Kindergarten at Dove with his sister. He has adjusted to the rigors of kindergarten with ease. This year, Cal has made a conscious change in his career path. In years past, he wanted to be a superhero and a chef. Now he would like to work at his father’s company building and selling robots. He is also working on a few new hobbies, including hording money, figuring out ways to get money and how he can rule the world. He has also expressed interest in being a rock star. I am getting the sense that Cal, in a materialistic sort of way, might end up being the most successful of my children. He thinks big. He dreams big. Time will tell.

 

Charlie, the youngest child, is 2 ½ years old. He is in a preschool program at Saint Francis Catholic Church. He enjoys it very much, especially music, because Laura is the music teacher. He is a friendly little boy who likes to tell everyone that they are a chicken. Comparing the other 2 kids to Charlie when they were this age, Charlie is by far the most verbal and cognitive of the three.

 

Laura has had an eventful year. She started teaching music one day a week at the Saint Francis Preschool program where Charlie goes to school. She still volunteers a good amount of time with church and at Dove Elementary where she is the third grade parent coordinator. She also enjoys spending time with her MYC (Mothers with Young Children) friends and appreciates all of them greatly. She has little free time, looking after the three kids and does a wonderful job at that sometime thankless endeavor.

 

As for me, I am doing well. This has been an uneventful year and I am happy with that. I am still working at Zyvex Corporation where I develop software that controls nano-manipulators. It is interesting work and I am kept very busy. I enjoy the people I work with very much. This last year, I continued doing triathlons, though I am not able to dedicate as much time nor energy to them as I would like. I am not very good at it, but sometimes it is more important going out and doing it and not worrying about how good you really are.

 

Have a peaceful holiday season,

 

Cyle, Laura, Margaret, Cal and Charlie Nelson