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Crystal was baffled by this year's card. "Advent? Why are we sending an Advent card for Christmas?" In response I asked, "What about all those Christmas Cards showing the Wise Men following the star? People send them all the time, but aren't they technically Epiphany cards?" I don't think my argument convinced her.

 

Thinking about it, I think I painted this because we try to have an appreciation of Advent. When television ads and store muzak bombard society with Rudolph and Parson Brown, we at least attempt a sense of waiting, anticipation, and quietude. We are baffled and amazed that for so many people Christmas screams to a halt at midnight on December 25. We are all about the twelve days of Christmas, which have only just begun.

 

As is my habit, I include a rambling letter in our cards. Here's what went out this year:

 

ONE STEP FORWARD….

 

Well, folks, we all got snookered. We’d hoped that 2020 would have stood alone – defiantly – as the aberration year, but things have not returned to normal yet. We will not say that 2021 carries the same gloom and brimstone that established 2020 as front runner for worst year of the century, but let’s agree it has been the poster child for one step forward, seven steps back. 

 

One supposes, though, that since it would take an asteroid of dinosaur killing enormity to outcrap 2020, 2021 shouldn’t feel too bad about taking the Silver.

 

MEDICAL STUFF

 

Anthony underwent total knee replacement surgery in early September. There were the typical questions going in – “Is this the right time? Is this really necessary?” – but the surgical team found a far worse mess than the x-rays had suggested, so agreeing to the titanium extravaganza was a wise decision after all. That was the easy part. Then came the rehabilitation, weeks upon weeks of short-term pain and discomfort best summarized as critical steps to, well, new steps. He is now well on his way to regaining his usual cheerful tap-dancing bearishness. Fingers crossed on the other knee, though.

 

Through it all (especially the first two weeks post-surgery, during which Anthony was essentially a 61-year-old toddler) Crystal was a spectacular nurse, coach, and all-around angel. It would be nice to reward ourselves for getting through this, maybe a nice vacation to regroup and rebuild. But it’s 2021, and worry-free travel is not really on the table, is it? For anybody. One step forward, seven steps back.

 

WINTER INTO SPRING

 

We spent the first two and a half months of 2021 in a near zombie like state. Every night – seven days a week – we’d light a fire and plop down to stream episode upon episode of a Canadian TV show called Heartland. It is set in modern day western Alberta and includes a wizened crusty character named Jack who reminds us - just a bit - of Crystal’s own wizened crusty late brother Jack. It is a typical sappy TV “dramady,” and it became our nightly comfort food during the dark and chilly nights of January and February. 

 

Then it became a lovely spring, and we did more work in the garden than I think during any single year since we bought the house. The need to break free from flat-screen addiction gave us the energy to really put in the effort. The garden looked beautiful. Then came an even hotter and swampier summer than usual, which, sadly, did not treat all of our new plantings with kindness. One step forward, seven steps back. 2021.

 

WORK WORK WORK WORK WORK 

 

Anthony continues to love his job at the Virginia Department of Health. As we both are now in our sixties, we find it is time to start thinking about retirement. Retire at 65? 67? 70? Nothing official, still years away, but we find that we keep drifting into the conversations. Turns out you have to plan ahead. Who knew? Adulting can be hard.

 

One highlight: in January, Crystal was featured on the NPR national series Pipe Dreams. She performed the Archangel Suite by Craig Phillips, recorded on the Taylor & Boody Opus 64 organ at St. Michael’s. If you missed it, you can find it on the Pipe Dreams website – just look for the January 18, 2021, episode Still More Modern Music Makers. Nothing like a moment on the national stage to break up the daily routine. 

 

Crystal continues to be the queen of multi-tasking: St. Michael’s, Greater Richmond Children’s Choir, several dozen personal commitments, and – oh – why not throw in Anthony’s surgery the very week that all the choirs’ seasonal rehearsals begin?!

 

Last year’s “virtual challenges” for musicians have not actually gone away, but now that some forms of getting back together have become possible, there are new headaches. Should we regroup or stay virtual? Is it even possible to sing well while masked? Should we require vaccines in order to regroup? We mention this because the simple act of responsibly discussing these options inevitably led to a level of discourse that, if nothing else, required poor Crystal to add several layers of thick skin in order to converse with theoretical adults. One step forward, seven steps back. The hits keep coming in 2021.

 

THE VETERINARY REPORT

 

Mufasa entered our lives in 2007 as a one-year old adoptee. The Richmond Animal League came up with the name and we kept it. It fit his regal and rugged Maine Coon handsomeness; but the nicknames Moofie and Mr. Moof came soon enough in response to his surprisingly unfeline complete lack of dignity. He refused to recognize that cats are supposed to be graceful, preferring to leave constant trails of broken pottery, scratched valuables, and scorched fur. Seriously, if he could have written a book of to-do tips for bulls entering china shops, we’d be millionaires. Further, Moofie had no concept of feline aloofness; preferring to pester every human being he encountered like a puppy hyped up on sugar. He took pride – make that extreme pride – in running up veterinary bills. In short, he had personality squared. He left us in September, and it is a great void. We’d be remiss if we didn’t give a shout out to Caitlin Eschenroeder, our veterinary angel and godsend, who provided hours of aid keeping Moof comfortable and loved during the last few months of his life. It is kindnesses such as hers that will ultimately kick the 2020 and 2021 heaviness to the curb. Bless you, friend Caitlin. Nothing seven steps back about you. 

 

CHRISTMAS 2021

 

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven

 

No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive Him
Still the dear Christ enters in

 

Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks
And Christmas comes once more

 

Happy Christmas

 

Crystal and Anthony

 

p.s. Total kitchen sink blockage on Thanksgiving Day. 2021, right?