OUR CHRISTMAS LETTER – FINALLY

TRUMP-KENNEDY-MAS 2025   THE CHESS FAMILY

Dear Occupant:

It’s been quite a year – and in keeping with the year of ‘Re-naming’, our children have all been given new names.

Peter now Peter Jr., Nick now Vladimir, Matt now the Department of War, Katharine and Emily switching – and then switching back again, this re-naming thing confusing, Artie now Vincent. My Captor still My Captor.

Were this an administration ago, each child would have been given a ‘gender-neutral’ name.

Elvis not gender neutral, but we met pre-concert in Charleston, thanks to our good friend Larry. I’ve now seen Elvis 28 times, but had never met him – but he’d never met me either. And I’m mentioning the meeting in our Christmas letter, but he probably won’t in his. We had a relaxed 8- minute chat, where My Captor asked him if he’d bought hats and I told him about discovering him awakening to ‘Welcome to the Working Week’. He even told us where the twins are going to college. I asked him if he’d play New Lace Sleeves, and he did, introing it with “This is for Jim”. He also got his teeth fixed and looked ‘less British’.  

But before the letter, a confession:I love my children dearly, but am mightily disappointed they didn’t deliver us any more grandchildren.

As is our custom, we’ll now tell you about the things you weren’t invited to: 

GENERAL ITEMS OF “INTEREST”

The usual amount happened this year. We were lucky enough to have multiple visitors – funny how the beach will do that – and made multiple trips to Charlotte and Alexandria. Celebrating Father’s Day, my birthday, and Katharine and Emily’s birthdays.

But the big blast was Mary’s 70^th birthday, celebrated in Charlotte, her entire family in attendance – even sister Martha from Chicago!

And each attendee a surprise! Martha calling from an uber on the way to Emily’s, stunning Mary when she walked in. She knew Katharine and Nora were coming on Saturday, but the entire Agnini family – including Teddy – walked in on Friday night.

She expected Nick and Matt, but Peter – and then Ella – were the final shocks of the night. A wonder her heart could take it.

And the weekend was a blast, with a trip to Optimist Hall, oysters, Italian food and beverages. Thanks to Emily and Duncan for hosting!

Other than that, fortunately no unresolved life-threatening medical issues – and no hurricanes, warnings or evacuations. The no hurricane thing the first time since 1506. Or maybe it was 2015something – but the 1506 thing giving this letter some historical heft.

But to remain in practice, we still did a practice non-evacuation – since we no longer evacuate – to remain sharp: Which furniture to hide under, how to camouflage the car in the event of a ‘mandatory’ evacuation, and calling friends we haven’t heard from in a while. And no, you still can’t have my baseball cards if we don’t make it.

We had fun trips to Lake Charles. LA to see Polly and Mike, Year 2 in Montreat with the Berrys, and a Santa Cruz wedding of our nephew JP to Silvie. A good time had by all. Ella, Bri and Peter joining for the wedding weekend.

This is year ? of this letter – the actual date lost in the government shutdown. But in the spirit of full disclosure (well, partial disclosure, I still have secrets) I will remind that this was our first full year without Danny, who died by suicide on September 13, 2024. So, the year was a series of firsts: The first Mother’s and Father’s Days without him, the deathiversary, and then the seconds: His birthday on October 24, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The family making a concerted effort to be together for as many of those as possible, because misery loves company, and company loves misery. I’m happy to report that as the year concludes, everyone in the family in good shape, after weathering some dark times – knowing that Dan’s decision was no one’s fault, and he’d want us to live our best lives as a tribute to him.

But the sun came up every day, life went on, and we re-learned how many friends we have, and how loved we, and Danny, are.

We honored him with a Celebration of Life in St. Simons February 15/16, and the turnout of 140ish was a real heart sweller.

Arrivals began on Wednesday, with the main events a Southern Soul lunch at our home on Saturday, and a Celebration Tribute, followed by a Palm Coast lunch, on Sunday. The ‘program’ featured remembrances by his siblings, Frank Crisafi (standing in nobly for his COVID suffering brother Matt), his Bireley cousins – even his 8 year-old goddaughter Nora, who stole the show.

Another key moment was Friday morning, when the family scattered his ashes on the beach. His nephew Charlie wanting to carry the ‘ashes box’ – even with a broken wrist. In response to concern from his father, saying “I’ve got this Dad, I want to carry Dan”, and then led us single file to the beach. The punchline of the weekend: His nephew James writing “I hope Danny is happy in heaven” on the kitchen blackboard.

The remembrances a full portrait of Dan, covering him from all angles. It was essentially a destination funeral – or maybe wedding, without the groom – and a LOT of fun. But heavy doses of sadness, too.

But what I wouldn’t give for one more phone check-in…

In a ‘Dan tribute’, I ‘ve written “Love is not enough”, chronicling his death by suicide and addiction/depression, due out late February.  

Man, all that actually made our family seem active and interesting – but these letters are notoriously ‘fake news’ …

How about an update lightning round?  But this year with an answer key…                                            

By reader request: Grandkid ages: 13,10, 8. 8. 6, 5, 3. Living at the Keswick – free coffee and you can wash your dog. Still baking up a storm. On to middle school, adding 5 minutes to his morning ‘school commute’ Still stuffed and standing guard on our front porch.There must be more grandchildren out there somewhere!In the meantime: Teddy, The GrandDog! will do. February celebration turned into a Bireley-Chess family reunion. Cousins everywhere! Isn’t family amazing? Beach walking on a daily basis. The GC at a software firm, let’s make a deal! In Charlotte to man the Halloween candy bag: Scary Pumpkins! I know why he did it – but why did he do it? Daughter birthday celebrations.Need your sight saved? Sign up for the weekly post at beersatthenifty.com or6 moreweeks of winter. Not responsible for the Republican election issues – she just pays the bills. And a whole bunch of other duties. Earned PhD in caramel infusion.You’ve read this far- have you noticed it’s the same paragraph as the last 5 years? RISD and Fordham. Or he’ll find your ancestors -but you might not like the answer!Selling gourmet items from her kitchen, but she’s not Mary. Hoping for another roundabout by Christmas.Still swim team, basketball and baseball all-stars.  

ANOTHER ONE OF “THOSE LETTERS” (PAGE 2)

You asked for an answer key, here goes: A – Georgia College B-Pi, answer voiced by William Shatner ; C-Censorship Industrial Complex D-You’re the only one who missed this E-The charges were expunged!  F- Are you using AI for your answers? G- Knew you’d guess that! 7- The Skipper and Gilligan 11 – Lydia, the tattooed lady 6C – 6C (trick question) X- Marks the Spot ZZZ- wake me when it’s over

In closing, we are reminded of what a gift it is to be able to wake up each day and appreciate the little things that make life sweet. We honor God – and ourselves – by making the most of each day.

Life is both a precious – and fragile – commodity. If you take any of this for granted, you clearly aren’t paying attention. Particularly for relationships, which can disappear in an instant.

                               MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CHESS FAMILY!

P.S. We are the Chess family, and are grateful to God for the time we had with Dan.

CHRISTMAS LETTER MEA CULPA

OK, OK – I heard from a few readers about “No Christmas letter?!” and have hopefully corrected that miss. I didn’t hit the deadline I was given. As I would say in college exams “More time!”

To complete the experience, I’d recommend printing this, adding my Christmas Day post “Layers”, and mailing it to yourself along with our picture card.