Here are the Christmas Letters from 2005, 2004, 2003, and 2002
2005
Dear Friends:
We hope this letter finds you happy, healthy and rested!
2005 has been a year full of overwhelming sadness and incredible joy for the Carahers, and I find as I sit to write the yearly missive that too many thoughts and stories from the last year are flowing through my head to share on 1 piece of paper (yes, I am constraining myself to a single sheet this year!).
So I will start with the incredible joys of 2005 (because it’s always good to start with the good stuff). Michael and Liam continue to thrive in their own ways.
Michael – almost 8 now – has really developed a passion for music, drama, reading and horses this year. After just 12 weeks of instruction, we are getting used to waking up to the dulcet tones of finger exercises on the piano and now know that the real benefit of the electronic keyboard (that we gave back to our friends when the real thing came into the house last month) is that you can unplug the thing! A curious being of definite opinion, Mike has something to say about just about everything, and we find and has a real flair for the dramatic in almost all that he does….which makes it interesting or mind-bending depending on the day.
Liam, now 5, has grown in so many ways this past year. In the spring he was diagnosed with Apraxia and Dysarthria – two not-un-related neurological speech disorders – which has provided a definite focus with his education and therapies. Liam is very busy, as we complement his school time with other activities that work together to help him further develop muscle tone and balance and the ability to speak – and he’s making progress with more words every day. Karate has been a wonderful new activity from which we’ve seen dramatic improvement in concentration and balance – now if we can keep him from practicing in the grocery store, we’ll really be ahead of the game! Dressing up – astronauts, Luke Skywalker, Dash, Buzz, any assortment of knights & princes, anything with a cape -- is a favorite pastime, so you never know who will be at the dinner table!
I took the kids east at Easter and was able to visit with my great Aunt Barbara before she died this summer, and with many east coast friends and family.
This summer, we continued our now 4-year tradition of having Pete and the boys spend the summer in Wisconsin chez McEnany and I traveled back and forth, as someone needs to bring home the bacon! Pete and the kids had 2 extra vacations from vacation and flew to Kansas to see almost all the Caraher Clan and took the train to Chicago for a weekend with my sister Abby. We were also able to spend a week on Madeline Island in Lake Superior, which was spectacular.
Pete was able to have 6 days alone (for those of you who don’t know, alone is when you are by yourself without kids or spouse for an extended period and are not confined to the bathroom) while he drove to and from Eau Claire. He also played much golf (I am instructed to tell you that he did NOT “golf” he PLAYED golf) in between getting kids to and from day camp and doing “summer stuff.”
Pete was a HUGE help to my parents this summer, as it became clearer and clearer that my mother was nearing the end. I flew the kids home on Saturday, August 27th in time to start school the next week and was called back to Wisconsin the next Friday to be with my sisters and father for my mother’s last few days of life. We were all happy to get there in time for her to know that we were there, and once we had all spent time with her she went into a coma and then died on Labor Day.
We celebrated my mother’s life with a “very Gina” memorial service weekend (complete with bagpipers, balloons, short hymns, and too much food) and many of our family’s collective friends and family were with us for the weekend.
In September, Pete’s brother Patrick lost his long-time girlfriend Sarah in a freak bike accident close to their home. Sue was already her since she was staying with Mike and Liam while Pete and I were in Eau Claire, so she extended her trip, and Gerry and Tim and Jen also came. Patrick had a “very Sarah” memorial for her on Mt. Baldy in Los Angeles, outside on the mountain.
Throughout this time my sister Lizzie was a Katrina refugee from New Orleans where she is at the LSU Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry completing her work for her PsyD. The silver lining in the blur that was September and early October is that she was safe and was able to live at home with our father and help him with everything that happens after someone dies. She is now back in New Orleans (and was one of the few who did not lose their home to flood damage or mold) in what can only be called compromised circumstances.
My father is spending the winter in Snowmass in a full time capacity at the ski school, and he and my sisters will be here for Christmas, which we are very much looking forward to.
So it’s been a year. Through it all we have felt carried by the love and support of our friends near and far. Thank you.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday surrounded by those you love, and that 2006 brings great happiness to you and peace in the world.
Happy Holidays! We hope this finds you well, safe, happy and let’s say it out loud for all the parents of young children in the crowd — rested! (We can all wish!)
It is hard to believe that another year has gone by. We started the year thinking things would s—l— o—w down, and now we’ve come to accept the truth that time flies by and you’ve got to live in the present to enjoy it. (Of course this does not preclude the need for planning, but that’s another topic for another day ☺.)
That said, 2004 has been another year of great blessings and some disappointments (say, around November 2nd) and in that light we remind ourselves — especially now — that we are blessed.
We hope 2005 is a blessed year for you, and that there will be more peace, more happiness and less strife around the world.
Lee, Pete, Mike and Liam
Well 2004 certainly exceeded many of our expectations.
Pete keeps on keeping it all together for Clan Caraher. In his 9th year at A&B Produce, Pete works in the mornings and some nights and spends the afternoons with the kids — which is GREAT!
We were lucking to have Pete’s sister & her family, and his brothers and his parents and his aunt and uncle visit for a week at the beginning of the summer.
Pete was able to take the summer off from work and spend 9 weeks with the boys in Wisconsin with Lee’s parents (Lee went back and forth a few times). Pete was a huge help to my parents and had fun playing golf with Terry and a great week with our friends the Caseys who spent a vacation week there.
All the boys visited Pete’s parents on a trip to Iowa. On the way there, they stopped in Lacrosse where this State Trooper was happy to have his picture taken with the boys.
Liam has been at the San Mateo County school for special needs preschoolers and loves it!
He’s now in a class that focuses on physical development and communication and is thriving.
Liam still can’t speak, but he has many more sounds than a year ago and is doing great work on communication devices — soon we may be using a touch screen system that Liam will use to “talk” to us.
His week is very full and fun with school and different complementary therapies. We are very thankful for all of his teachers and therapists — it’s a cast of thousands.
Mike is now in first grade, providing further evidence that I am getting very old.
He really enjoys school and while a bit “chatty in class,” (we have NO idea where that came from) can’t seem to get enough. Every night it seems we’re learning something new from him.
Mike just finished soccer and now is back to ice skating for the winter.
(Yes we know he’s the tallest in the class. Yes we know that’d be an advantage for the basketball team. But no, he wants to skate, so off to the rink we go.)
He’s joined the choir at church and LOVES it.
Lee’s mom Gina responded miraculously to the new drug Iressa and had a great year, against all the odds, relatively pain free, sans oxygen tank and full of activity.
The drug has stopped working, but lasted longer than it was “supposed to” so here we are again looking forward to another “borrowed” Christmas in Wisconsin — a truly wonderful thing!
I have had a busy year. Double Forte passed (survived into?) the 2nd year mark (yeah!) and now we’re looking for new space.
(If you’re looking for a last minute gift, can I suggest a Bell helmet, photo gifts from Snapfish.com, a Nano-Tex enhanced Brooks Brothers stain repellant tie or Tommy Hilfiger Golf shirt, or perhaps an Electric Cloud Software Build Accelerator?)
Besides work, I keep busy with the church Vestry and as a board member of Community Gatepath (the largest non-profit for people with disabilities in San Mateo County — where Liam had his 0-3 program).
Pete went above the call of duty and threw me a fantastic 40th birthday party in March, complete with Mariachi Band and Transvestite Dancer! Who could ask for more?!
And, you will all be happy to know that the Single Sock Eradication Program is alive and well, so all is not lost from the experiment of Lee staying home in 2002.
With that Reader’s Digest version, you now know more than you wanted to!
Here’s to a great, peaceful 2005!
2003
Happy Holidays 2003!
We hope this card finds you healthy and happy. Today is December 13th and yes, I’ll say it out loud, I am behind. So this letter will be shorter than most Caraher missives (and a sigh of relief can be heard around the world).
We’ve been blessed with many things this year. Even with our family struggles and concerns, we continually remember that we are fortunate to live here, be working and be safe. We continue our hope for more peace, less struggle and more happiness around the world in 2004.
We wish you a happy holiday and wonderful new year!
Lee, Pete, Mike & Liam
After searching high and low for the perfect wizard costume for Mike’s Halloween parade, Lee finally came across the perfect outfit — dark blue felt with stars and moons in a cape and hat completed with a wonderful gold lame collar— what could go wrong?
Well, Michael had to be convinced. First we had to make sure the cape had enough “poof” so that it would billow as he walked.
That confirmed with several quick strolls through the kitchen, we ventured downstairs to check out the full mirror picture.
“MMMMMM” said Mike.
“Isn’t it cool?! That is so cool” I exclaimed.
“Well, it’s pretty good Mom. It just needs a few finishing touches.”
OK, this kid is almost 6, but a-number one, where did he hear about finishing touches and b-number two, what ever happened to taking what you get and liking it?? HYEAH right. We were off to the store for the glasses, dress pants and shirt and a black tie, because the pattern ties he has “won’t go with the outfit mom.”
OK he was right. But the only finishing touch Liam got was a flashlight duck-taped to the helmet of his fireman’s costume. (which would have been great, except it was a little off center so he had to tilt his head for the thing to stay on!)
CARAHER MILESTONES 2003
· Michael is now Mike (except to his mother)
· Liam graduates from the Early Start 0-3 program
· Mike starts Kindergarten! (How did that happen?)
· Pete plays golf 34 times! (well at least we’re 1/3 of the way to the 100 round yearly target).
· Double Forte survives first year and grows! (phew!)
· Mike plays Center Beehive on the Wildcats U6 soccer. Go CATS!
· Liam blows bubbles and sucks through straw; HUGE accomplishments on his journey to speaking
· Single Sock Eradication Program still in full swing; Lee is now licensing concept around the world.
We’ve spent a great deal of time this year in Wisconsin with Gina and Terry. The Caraher men spent most of the summer there, enjoying the summer at day camp, in the pool, visiting nature reserves and farms, playing golf and helping Grammie and Grampa out in the garden by planting, catching frogs, spreading mulch and watering.
This time has been an unexpected and wonderful gift to us all as we didn’t expect to have be able to spend so much time with Gina.
Happy Holidays! We hope our missive finds you healthy and happy. It’s been quite a year for Clan Caraher, one of precious moments and a constant reminder that you can’t tell those you love that you love them enough and that despite the difficulties we face, we are extremely fortunate. In this season of hope, we continue to hope for a peaceful world, and an increased appreciation and awareness for those around us.
We wish you a wonderful Holiday and an easier 2003!
Lee, Pete, Michael & Liam
LIAM WALKS!MICHAEL AND THE HEAT UP
Now 2 years and 8 days, Liam has made tremendous strides this year! With a busy schedule of physical and occupational therapy, swimming and play time, Liam has been “catching up” to his physical age milestones at a steady rate.
The low muscle tone he was born with has dramatically improved and in November Liam walked for the first time! Now of course we wish he would sit down just a few times during the day.
He’s keeping us on the run as he feels the freedom that movement has given him, but it is an amazing thing to watch as Liam gets stronger and stronger.
Liam enjoys mornings with the wonderful Eileen Rooney (and her husband Martin, who has become his special buddy) and afternoons with Dad, busy with all of his activities.
Every day seems to hold new milestones for Liam and his therapists and doctors are thrilled with his progress, so you can imagine how we feel!
REVOLUTIONARY SOCK PROGRAM SENDS LEE BACK TO WORK
Well, at this time last year, Lee was enjoying her 6th week of a (well-deserved) break. By March of this year however, the charm had waned and, much to Pete’s consternation, Lee was finding lots of things to do around the house.
After color coding closets, mastering the art of the glue gun, trying her hand at flower arrangement, filing 8 years worth of recipe clippings and organizing every drawer in the house, Lee re-engineered the Caraher laundry system. As part of streamlining the transformation of dirty clothes into clean garments, Lee devised— and single-handedly executed— the “Single Sock Eradication Program, ” successfully ridding the house of ALL unmatched socks.
Unfortunately, Lee became mildly focused on the sock program and when she was heard muttering “how did this sock get upstairs without its pair?” Pete laid down the law and said loudly, “THAT’S ENOUGH, YOU ARE GOING BACK TO WORK NOW!”
So, she wrangled up her long-time friend and colleague Dan Stevens and opened Double Forte at the end of the summer: so far, so good.
Needless to say, the closets are now jumbled and the glue gun is cold, but nary a single sock dares surface!
Michael continues to love his Montessori. Now in his second year, he is the BMOC, literally and figuratively.
Lee was able to take Michael to his first day back this year. But they didn’t make it through the door before Michael said to his shattered mother, “you can go now Mom.”
After being branded a pariah by her own son, Lee chose to see this is a positive sign of independence instead of the rejection of the first born.
He is now at school everyday until 3:30pm when Pete picks him up.
Lunch continues to be a daily discussion topic.
One week when Michael was uncharacteristically grumpy, Pete decided he’d had enough and told Michael, “I want you to think about what’s bothering you and we’re going to talk about it before bedtime.”
5 minutes later, Michael came into the kitchen where Pete was preparing dinner, and said, “Daddy, I want to talk to you now.”
“OK, Mike,” said Pete, “What’s the problem.”
“I don’t like the lunches you make for me Daddy,” replied Michael earnestly. “I want heat ups instead of sandwiches.”
“So Mike, if I make you Heat Ups (cold cooked pasta that gets “heat up” in the microwave at school) you will stop being grumpy?” asked Pete.
“Yes Daddy,” Michael promised.
Lee came home that night to witness Pete preparing a week of “Heat Ups,” grumbling “*&^ heatups — now he wants to blame his +*& attitude on my lunch.”
NOT and easy thing for a former chef to accept!
But Heat Ups are a regular and grumpiness isn’t!
LEE and PETE FAIL THE FIRST FISH FLUSH
2002 saw a progression of gold fish in the family fish tank, which sat on Michael’s dresser for most of the year. During the year, Lee and Pete became skilled at switching replacement fish for their deceased friends without attracting notice from either Liam or Michael.
However the frequency of the great switch became an irritant over time.
One night while Pete was getting Liam ready for bed in his room, Lee noticed that Dorothy the VI had expired while she was helping Michael dress for bed. When Pete brought Liam into Michael’s room for a story, Lee said quietly to Pete, Dorothy D-I-E-D.”
To which Pete responded loudly, “Dorothy DIED?”
Michael noticed and looked at the tank to see Dorothy floating in the wake of the pump. Huge tears came to his eyes and he cried, “Dorothy’s dead!”
No amount of comforting could stem the tide.
“Dorothy’s gone to fish heaven. It’s really nice there — she’s with God in fish heaven,” Lee said.
“NO SHE’S NOT — SHE’S RIGHT THERE IN THE FISH TANK. MAYBE SHE’S STILL ALIVE,” wailed Michael.
“Well Michael, we have to send her to fish heaven now that she’s floating,” explained Pete. “Now we have to flush her down the toilet, and that’s how she’ll get there.”
“SHE DOESN’T WANT TO GO!” cried Michael.
Lee and Pete couldn’t contain their laughter at themselves at fumbling the whole thing so badly.
Finally, Pete got Dorothy out of the tank and the family moved to the boys’ bathroom, where they all said goodbye to Dorothy, amidst much gnashing of teeth and tears from Michael, and muffled laughter from the bumbling parents.
(Liam, a bit confused about the whole thing, looked on with interest, laughing when Lee and Pete couldn’t hold it in.)
Into the toilet bowl Dorothy went. Lee flushed the toilet and down went Dorothy.
“Goodbye Dorothy, we’ll miss you. We know you’ll love fish heaven,” said Lee.
…. And then….
…….. Dorothy came back up into the bowl.
“I TOLD YOU SHE DIDN’T WANT TO GO,” cried Michael.
Needless to say, the drama took a while longer to resolve.
Lee and Pete are now considering adding the “Failed Fish Flush” to their upcoming book, “Things We Learned the Hard Way.”
