Dear Friends,

Each year at this time I think about writing an on line Christmas Letter to friends. However, I can only think of one time that I've actually completed the task. I've been inspired this year because I've received a number of on line letters from friends from around the world, and it's been great to hear from everyone. I've also thought about how neat it is to be in touch with friends I've known over the years. And folks are in so many places around the globe.

It seems that this year brought more reconnection with friends than ever before. My blog has enough activity that a search of my name makes it easy to locate me. One friend, Steve, who I knew from my time in the Jesuits got in touch that way and I was able to meet him, his wife and eldest daughter this past summer when they were in Santa Monica. There has been a lot of "reconnecting" to  Westmont College friends this past year. Roger Hoffmann and his family are in the Los Angeles area and we've been in close contact. Also, Tom and Janet Wiest are in South America. I love getting updates on their adventures, which are many. I met the college counselor from Rift Valley Academy at a professional meeting in October. This is the school in Kijabe, Kenya where Chris and Rick Bransford went for school before coming to Westmont. Just a couple of weeks ago I got to visit with Kirk and Mari Andonian at their home near Seattle. Kirk and Mari are doing great, as are their four amazing kids, and their energetic and engaging Jack Russell Terrier which was added to the family last year. I've also hear from Mike Cady, who is newly the father to twin daughters. Mike told me that he and his family are returning to California in 2007.

This past year was monumental in the life of my family. My grandmother died on October 15 in Los Angeles. She was ninety-seven years old. I can't tell you how grateful I am for living close to her the final years of her life. On the day that she died all of the Los Angeles grandkids got together at my uncle and aunts' house. When I arrived they were going through old photographs. My sister found a book of photos that I had never seen before that included photos of my twin brother and me with our grandmother.
 

(In case you can't figure it out, I'm on the right side. My brother Ron is on the left.)

This will be our first Christmas without my grandmother and her absence will be felt. Our tradition is to gather as a family on Christmas Eve in Los Angeles. I have six cousins in the Los Angeles area, and my uncle and aunt. We all get together for Christmas Eve. My plan is to stick around Southern California for the Christmas break. I'll spend New Years in Palm Springs, as has become my habit the past five years.

Work continues to go well as director of college counseling at St. Margaret's Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano. Each senior class brings its own personality and personalities. And each year I'm always amazed how the puzzle comes together as each class picks, applies to, gets admitted to and enrolls in the dozens of colleges that the kids go to.

On a personal note, my brother's children - my niece and nephew - are at the end of their high school careers. They attend Episcopal High School in Houston, Texas. My nephew is at the top of his game as a short distance runner. He runs the 400 meter and has just signed a National Letter of Intent that commits him to attend Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. My niece is a junior who will go through the college process next year.

Some of the "big events" this year were:



So, I've done it! I've written an online Christmas update letter! Sweet!

I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Roland