issue 11.4

Comments

[Karen]

Wow. That was stellar. I laughed and cried. This was the perfect ending to a wonderful Christmas. Loved the photos. And the essays. You've made my heart feel full up. Hugs to you, Kateri. You are a gift.

[Mama]

I haven't finished reading it. This is my week to savor it. Yes, my Kateri is a gift. A gift from God. Kateri's mama

[John Whitney]

Kateri,

With all of the busy-ness of the last week, I was behind a couple of issues of of "Unweaving..." On this Boxing Day - since we live so close to the Canadian border it feels fine to say that - I found some time this morning to catch up. So glad I did. 11.3 and 11.4 were both wonderful and fit my mood perfectly.

Brad was up early, before 6:30AM, to start practicing clarinet. Laura was also up and around early since she has a 9:00 to 9:00 shift today. Brad's is now into his fourth hour of practicing. He's making up a little for not practicing yesterday but he's also getting ready for a series of auditions and audition recordings for summer music festivals and a "Junior Recital."

I'm not sure when our paths first began crossing; probably when our oldest kids were in Kindergarten. I remember the time we happened to bump into your family at the McDonald's in Williamsport, PA. All those school events, concerts, etc. Yours remains one of those familiar, friendly faces that continues to bless our lives.

Since your first edition, I've thought, "Unweaving the Nest" really should be "Reweaving the Nest." For you (and for most everyone else at this stage of our lives), it's not like we're disassembling all that our homes and lives have become. Rather, we're continually reshaping, reworking, reinterpreting and reweaving. At least that's how I see it.

Laura and I try to follow the 12 days of Christmas tradition, not with daily gifts but with the idea that the Christmas season, as we celebrate it, begins on December 24th and continues through January 8th.

See you around our little town and thank you once again for "Unweaving..." What a gift you and your writings have been.

"Let it snow!"

[kateri]

@Karen, thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's a special one, for me, to be able to share the writing of two writers that I love. Hope to see you soon!

@ Mama, you made me blush. lol

@ John, what a wonderful thing to read this morning when I'm feeling a little blue. I do remember seeing you all in Williamsport! I had forgotten about that. And I feel the same about your whole family. It's interesting what you wrote about reweaving. I hope I get to reweaving one day soon, but for now it still feels like unweaving. Maybe I just have to go through that part first. It's all good though. And I'm right with you on the 12 days of Christmas. This year my little family is postponing the celebration until January 25 when we are all together for a week. :)

[elizabeth]

thanks, kateri, I enjoyed your newsletter, and that you included the two wonderful guest writers' stories...and love your pictures....and I will mail you another EA in snow picture for you, if not in this email, then in another, coming shortly....

[Libby Maeder]

It is Dec. 28, and I am just getting to read this now. I read the introduction and "And So This Is Christmas" just now, and I don't want to wait until I read the rest to comment.

I love what you write about Christmas, and your memories, and I love the old photos. Your mom looks like you and your daughter. It is as if your daughter is the one looking at you with your toy kitchen (the photo where you said "Nice hair mom!" because she has the little separating/cowlick we all have at the crown of our heads).

I have spent Christmas alone too, but not in many years. I'm proud of you for doing it! And learning that it can be done. Of course, we are never truly alone.

And finally, yes, Christmas is a smell! I loved that. Also, you can hear the twinkle of the snow, I think you can. And I too listen for sleigh bells every single year.

These were just lovely, thank you Kateri for sharing your nest as you reweave and reweave!

Libby

[Mama]

Every word, every photo, the best. So many things I can relate to, and yet they are all your experiences. I too have spent Christmas alone. Three to be exact. It's funny, but I did ok. Just kept busy, talked to my children and grandchildren, and thought about all the wonderful Christmas years past. I absolutely loved the essays by Barbara and Rick. A little bit of everything. The poem was so much fun to read. Again, so you. The recipe I must try, the chocolate and beer really make it. Of course, know it or not, the base is my recipe. I never used the dried chilis, but I used plenty of good chili powders that I made myself. I too love the beans. I dressed mine with plenty of shredded cheese and onions.

[kateri]

Thank you everyone!

@Elizabeth, I loved your photo. :) Thank you for sharing it with me. And if you ever want to share a story in Nest, I would be honoured.

@Libby, I love that you see me and my daughter in that old photo. I do, too! Yes, Christmas alone is no fun, but you are right, I did it, and I hope I learned something, too. And I hope I never stop listening for sleigh bells. I always getting your comments. Thank you!

@Mama, I thought of you so many times during Christmas, and drew strength from how you've weathered those holidays alone. I was also thankful that now you get to be with your grandkids. That is a blessing. And I'm happy you loved Barb and Rick's stories. I did, too. So much. Love you! xoxo