It’s this time of year when we usually receive wonderful letters
from friends who insist on making us feel like crap even though they have no
idea that’s what they’re doing. And while our lives (speaking of my immediate
family here) are pretty darn good, when we finish reading one of these things
it usually causes us to drink heavily or go to bed early with a sleep aid.
Vacations to Europe, law school graduations, weight losses resulting in new
found loves or redeemed marriages and on and on until at the end, when the
writer finally says, “Have a happy new year” or asks how we’re doing, we want
to say, “not so damn good!”
Just once, before I’m called home to “glory”, I’d
like to get a letter something like the one penned below. But…now listen, this
is only kidding, written in jest, because I really do enjoy hearing from
friends. So take it for what it’s worth, something different written by a woman
who is eternally positive and grateful for each and every blessing at this
hallowed time of year.
Christmas Greetings from our house to yours! Here’s that Christmas
letter I promised to write last year and, as you will see, things are going
great at the Hanratty house! And speaking of our house, we gave the darn
thing back to the bank last week! Ha! Todd, the wonderful man in my life, told
em’ to “come and get it”.
We’re married thirty years now, seems like yesterday,
and he never ceases to amaze me. Such a go getter! He said, “Honey, Wal-Mart
has a tent sale and we can pick up a good one, camp for a year, save up and who
knows?” Well, I know I’ve got the last of the good ones and an eternal optimist
sitting right here next to me in front of a beautiful two log fire. I’m
sure you get the picture. As for the rest of our wonderful people, Todd Junior
is on a well- deserved leave from the local detention center.
Yes, you
remember that rambunctious little fellow, just like his daddy (all grown up
now), had a misunderstanding with our men in blue (bless each and every one)
about a year ago, something about a weed of all things and driving too fast,
the way Todd junior tells it, and they recommended he stay with them for a
while. I don’t know much about these things but if that’s what Todd junior
thinks is best, who am I to argue?! We expect him to start community college in
a few years after he; Shelia and Todd III get on their feet. Yes, we have a
beautiful grandson staying right here at the campsite! Shelia’s a keeper. Todd
junior, as luck would have it, met her at the Waffle House one morning, after a
night at the dog track. That girl stays busy looking for work just about
every day. The good news is, Todd junior will be able to ride his bicycle
to school again, when he gets out and the money they save not having a
car...well, can you imagine!? Little Todd III looks just like Uncle Melvin
(picture enclosed) without the mustache.
Of course it’s been a while since
we’ve seen Melvin, beings he’s been AWOL from the army for about three years
now. Oh! Did I mention our new year’s resolution? Hold on to your selves.
Each and every one of us is going to get a pedicure and a few new teeth,
starting with me! I swear if my fingernails get any longer Todd will never let
me scratch that beautiful back of his. He says the long nails hang up in the
hair. What a man! Plus, corn was always my favorite fruit and yes, it’s
been quite a while. You’ll remember Barney, our mixed Labradoodle, who
seemed to be in “love” with everybody he met? Well, he went to doggie heaven
last month after an extended illness. Todd says there ought to be a
special place on earth for dogs like Barney.
He’s ringing the bell at Wal-Mart
as I write this and says the money will go a long way toward just that.
Guess that’s it for now. Happy New Year from our tent to
your house!Harriet Henratty for the Henrattys, Todd, Todd Junior,
Todd III, Shelia, Uncle Melvin and Barney (picture enclosed)
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