The Lame Electric Holiday Letter

 Happy New Year From The Ficklins,

It seems that the world has gone digital this year.  I am not sure I like it.  Mainly, because I am a huge advocate of physical letters, of actually sitting down with a piece of paper and writing with a nice Frixon Erasable Gel Pen.  There is something about the actual forming of each letter, and having a personal message written to each person.

But here I am writing an electronic holiday greeting.  I think I have become too lazy and unwilling to be that old school person I claim to be, even if now the oldies station is playing the music I listened to in high school, which was made apparent when I got into my Dad’s car at the airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin this last September.  “Sweet Child of MIne,” by Guns and Roses never sounded as sweet as when I razzed Dad about listening to the music he had to “clean out of his speakers” after I had driven his car as a teenager.

The year has flown.  It has been filled with a mixture of emotions.  I am human after all, which I reminded my son of the other day when he claimed to be “emo.”  Apparently, it is still weird for a boy to feel any other emotion than anger these days.  He is a sensitive type and was thinking he was weird because of the emotions he feels.  Human, this is what we are.  So, if you too feel overly emotional at times, remind yourself that you are human and it is okay to be.  

My sister and I were chatting a few weeks back and we concluded that our grief kinda blinded us during Christmas last year and we don’t even remember much of it.  I am pretty sure I was on autopilot the whole year after my Mom’s passing.  And unless you have experienced such a loss, you probably don’t know exactly how you go through a rollercoaster of emotions almost on the daily.  It has gotten better and I feel like I am getting to a point of not being on autopilot the majority of the time, but again grief comes in waves and on occasion I am still hiding in my office at work and being a grieving human all over again! 

The Ficklins had a good year. The biggest thing was the new RV we purchased in October.  We love our new 19’ Go Play Bunkhouse.  In the month an a half we had it before having to winterize it, we got out five times.  I dream of spring and the futute adventures every time I look at the camper under it’s cover in our driveway.

Reuben is still working at Glass Images doing stained glass.  Glass Images keeps him busy with all the Temple windows for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and his company gave him a very generous bonus this Christmas because he brings so much revenue to the company!  He also sold many of his famous nativities, both at my school’s Christmas craft fair and by word of mouth.  

Alice is still working at Independence High School as a Health and Physical Education Teacher. Her side hustle of selling used bikes has paid for a few concerts this past year(Kelly Clarkson, and P!nk.)  She is happy to not be busy with Dean of Students duties this school year but was glad to serve in that capacity last year when it was needed. She also was honored to present at The National Alternative Education Conference in Florida this past October.  Hopefully, her presentation on her school's bike shop will encourage other teachers to build one in their school.  She read 40 books this past year and will get a 50 dollar gift certificate to her favorite local bookstore, Pioneer Book.

Ellis, 10, finished the 4th grade and is loving 5th grade.  It is amazing how a great teacher can make all the difference for a kid and Ellis’ teacher is perfect for him.  We rarely hear “I don’t want to go to school” and that is pure perfection.  He is enjoying Junior Jazz basketball this winter and is a White belt with four stripes in Jiu Jitsu.  He is always entertaining us with his knowledge of everything, especially Japan, and everything on the world atlas.

Zarah, 7, is in 2nd grade and still loves school.  She has added Hip Hop to her dance routine beside ballet.  Her recital in December was wonderful.  She is still learning Spanish and loving it.  Her favorite present at Christmas was roller skates.  Her new roller derby name is Honey Comb, because if you can skate you, need a derby name(she has a very large, bright orange sweatshirt that has a honey comb on it!).

Rozz, the dog, is still a good pup. He loves the snow and it actually gives him zoomies quite often in the winter. He loves walks and treats and just being with his pack! He does not love his new sweatshirt that he got for Christmas, though:

We are looking forward to many more adventures in 2024 and wish you all the same.  May you have a wonderful year!

Love,

The Ficklins