Christmas 2009
Dear friends and family,
We hope this missive finds you all well, happy and enjoying the holidays. In this holiday season, we continue to hope for a peaceful world where love trumps hate, and where those who can, do good.
It’s been quite a year (again!) for Clan Caraher, one of great moments, small achievements, some disappointments and repeated reminders that despite the difficulties we face, we are extremely fortunate. We’ve come to the very real understanding that in the big picture, we are doing great, and this has become the theme of the year. In times of great stress I can be heard muttering under my breath (or sometimes at the top of my lungs) “it’s all good, it’s all good, it’s all good.”
We are so thankful for the village that makes our lives possible. Between the family, the teachers, the instructors, the speech and occupational therapists, the friends, the church, and the colleagues at work and the other organizations we are involved in, we have woven a complicated web of support that continues to buoy us through the easy and the difficult. We are better for having you in our lives – thank you (and can you come over on Thursday and help out with _____? Ok I’m kidding.)
Michael, almost 12, is now in sixth grade and has fully embraced his “tween”-ness, much to our consternation. Rolling of the eyes, heavy sighs of exasperation when we “can’t possibly understand,” and evil laughter pepper the day. He continues to thrive at school in so many ways and we are thankful that the St. Matthew’s EDS experience is 
so good for him. This past summer Mike worked as a camp counselor at Trinity Stables near Eau Claire, which required patience with younger, less experienced riders, much riding of many different horses, care and love of said horses, and an abundance of sitting around. He also got several “Staff” T-shirts which are now a wardrobe staple.
So his first job experience was very positive, and that is great. At his request, Mike hosted his first small dinner party this fall, and now that he has a better concept of being a host, will probably put off the next one for a while! He remains committed to his music of choice – the piano, organ and school and church choirs – and to his equestrian and culinary pursuits. Homework? Well, not so much. But I’m reminded by other moms that in the big picture we’re all good on this front.
Liam has just celebrated his 9th birthday in grand style with a celebration that spanned 4 days. He has progressed tremendously this past year on all fronts — speech, motor, cognitive and emotional — and we remain confident about his future. Arbor Bay School continues to be a shining example of what just believing in the worth of every child can do to transform someone’s life—we are so thankful that Liam is there. Not shy, Liam is quick to raise his hand regardless of location or situation, assert his ideas and make his presence known wherever he is. He remains enthusiastic about horseback riding, swimming, soccer, all things firefighter and superhero, as well as “Dirty Jobs” and “Myth Busters.” And he won’t stop talking. So in the past 18 months we have done a complete 180 – going from prodding him to speak to answering a never ending stream of queries starting with “Can I talk now?” It’s all good.
We are thrilled to tell you that we have a new niece/cousin in Emily Jane Caraher, now 3 months old and daughter of Tim and Jen. Now I’m clear on why God gave us boys – put simply, if we’d had girls, we’d be visiting their wardrobes from the homeless shelter. 
On the work front, it’s been an “interesting” year at Double Forte as I believe I predicted in the last holiday letter. In the end, failure is not an option, it’s just gonna look different than I thought – nothing new to those of you who’ve started businesses! So, in the big picture, we’re moving in a good direction there.
In July I was able to catch up with a bunch of my Boston-area friends from highschool and 
early Weber days -- where I learned to KEEP MY MOUTH shut and ask how everyone else is doing first! It was great to see Nancy, Mary-Jo, Cassie, Mary Pat, Lisa, Cheryl, Rebecca and Liz. I also went to a Red Sox game with my cousin Scott and had an EXCELLENT view of the old bleacher seats I used to have when I lived in Boston oh so many years ago.
Both boards I’m on have required significantly more time than planned this year as they both deal with economic and future realities and the desire to serve more people with constrained resources. But this work is incredibly satisfying, and I’m hopeful that the people with special needs in San Mateo County and the people who enjoy public broadcasting in the Bay Area will feel the benefits of the incredibly dedicated people I have the honor to work with in these two organizations.
Pete maintains his Car Talk-like ½, ½, ½-day, split between half-time work, busy kid schedules, and his Chief Home Officer position. He and the boys spent another fun summer in Wisconsin with my father, playing much golf, watching British TV series, swimming, going to Eau Claire Express Games, and having an overall great time. I was able to go back-and-forth several times, and now after 8 years of remote summers, think I have it down. The boys also travelled to Kansas to see Sue and Jerry when the O’Learys were visiting from Hong Kong, and that was also a fun-filled week.
Pete went to his 20th St. Mary's reunion this year and the pictures prove that a throw-back weekend was enjoyed by all!
Pete’s fascination with birds continues (which is fortunate as my father keeps unloading bird books on him when he least expects it) and he’s looking forward to the Christmas bird count next week (at which he will undoubtedly be the youngest and least experienced, but on par in the enthusiasm department). He wears his Patriots’ gear proudly and refuses to submit to “fair weather fandom” in the face of a tough season.
We wish you all a joyful holiday and a wonderful 2010, and we hope for peace and justice in the world.
Peace,
Lee, Pete, Michael & Liam (oh, and Al the Cat)
