My dad has a tradition of writing a family Christmas letter every year and I am now making it a tradition of stealing his letter and posting it on my blog:
THE DENVER MURRI CHRONICLE
Christmas 2011
When you read our letter this year, you may think that we recycled news from previous years. Tempting as that might have been, it was not the case. In many ways, our lives just sort of went retro. Throughout this letter, you will see some old familiar headlines, but you'll have to read the details to get the real news.
Nurse Undergoes Back Surgery
Janiece had surgery on her lower back in June. She has had two previous surgeries on her lower back, and two on her neck. Janiece blames her parents for all of her back trouble. Not due to any lapses in judgment; they just passed down some incredibly lame back genes. Janiece has mostly recovered from her recent surgery, and is continuing to gain strength. Though she is a premier member in the Frequent Suture program, she is hoping to be done with surgeries someday...soon...now. Janiece is working as a wellness nurse for a Colorado-based health insurance company. Ironically, she advises clients who are suffering with chronic pain and illness. In September, Blake took Janiece to Estes Park for the 35th Annual Scottish/Irish Festival. There were bagpipes and drums aplenty, and the sounds of Scotland the Brave filled the
air. There was Irish dancing, jousting, and a heavy athletic competition. The heavy athletic competition involved large men in skirts heaving stones and timbers. Fortunately, that did not involve any high jumping or pole vaulting exhibitions (or exhibitionists). In above photo, Janiece is the main course in a Leprechaun sandwich (the Leprechauns had been dipping from a pot of rum at the end of the rainbow).
Engineer Manages Software Testing
Blake is back at his old job as software test manager at Lockheed Martin. He had been doing that for several years, but took a 2+ year sabbatical to work with corporate engineering. Blake enjoys his job, and is happy to be gainfully employed. Most of his colleagues are happy to have him back. Others did not even know he was gone (those are the true engineers). Blake was humbled to learn that the program continued to function, and the satellites did not fall out of the sky while he was away. His replacements must have been well-trained (yeah, that's it!). In July, Blake and Janiece went to Alaska with Janiece's family. They stayed with some family friends in Soldotna, who taught them the Kenai Jerk (that's a fishing motion, not a dance). The red salmon run was on, and it was truly a fisherman's dream. The fish were biting, they were all "keepers", and nightfall never came! The downside was that there was a three fish limit. A bad fisherman could probably catch his limit in just a few hours. Blake presents his daily catch in the photo at right. Isn't he just the poster boy for Cabela's?
Young Man Supports Family with Three Children
Following in his father's family footsteps, Ryan took on some family responsibilities of his own this year. He wandered into a space/time continuum as a swinging single guy with a convertible, and emerged on the other side as a family man with a mini-van (that's right, a mini-van). Ryan is helping his girlfriend, Faith, in raising and supporting her 3 children (Ashton, Jake, and Delaney). As if that does not present enough of a challenge, add a large dose of car trouble. On the mini-van, the transmission went out, and Ryan could only get it to drive in reverse. On another car, Faith had a wheel come off while she was driving 50 mph down the road. She was able to pull over without incident, but the wheel was nowhere to be found. It likely came to rest in the next county. In spite of all these challenges, Ryan and Faith are happy. Be sure to wave if you see them out and about. They will be in a red Dodge Caravan driving backwards down the interstate, or with the hood up on the side of the road. Ryan, Faith, and kids are pictured at left (Ashton unavailable).
Young Lady Serves As Event Planner
Ally has been planning events since her second birthday party. Well, many events later, she is still planning, only now she gets paid to do it! Ally is working for Friend's First, a non-profit organization that brings positive development to young adults. It did not take them long to recognize Ally's mad planning skills, and in addition to her teaching responsibilities, they put her in charge of outreach events. In her spare time, Ally earned an MA in Leadership Development from Regis University. Ally's husband, Jake has been working at a racecar engine repair shop. It's a great job, but his heart is in law enforcement. Jake has applied to several agencies, in and out of state. In each case, he has gone far into the process, but did not get the job. After doing a little detective work of his own, Jake discovered that he had a Grand Theft Auto conviction on his record (thanks to another Jake Jones). He has since been working to clear his name. Curiously, Jake has a lead on a "hot" minivan that might be available for Ryan and Faith. Ally and Jake competed in triathlons this past summer. Ally fared well, and finished according to plan. Jake did great, but of course his range was limited by the ankle monitor.
Student Works Toward Mechanical Engineering Degree
Following in his father's academic footsteps, Sam is working on a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is going to school at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. Sam is enjoying college, but he is not 100% convinced that he will stay with engineering. He may go an entirely different direction. Judging from the sample of classes that he is taking this year (Accounting, Latin, and Ancient Egypt History), it is not entirely clear what that direction might be. Sam could be a professional student if he did not have such disdain for going to class, doing homework, and taking tests. Sam arranged to live in an off-campus apartment this fall. Blake offered to take his truck to transport Sam's stuff, but that would have been woefully inadequate. When Sam said he was moving, he really meant that he was moving.....as in everything. They ended up renting a large trailer to haul "everything" off to college. Ironically, he could have fit all of his books and school supplies in his daypack. Sam is pictured at right with Danielle (also, a student at UCCS). Although they have been inseparable for years, Danielle has just recently gone from friend, to girlfriend, to fiancée (wedding plans underway...Ally?).
History has a way of repeating itself (or going retro, in today's vernacular). And history repeats itself in our lives, from one generation to the next. Sometimes we choose to follow in our parent's foot-steps. Other times, when we don't choose that path, it finds us anyway. Like it or not, we are all products of our past. The good news is that, regardless of our past, we can all have hope for a bright future. This time of year, we celebrate the birth of our Savior, who brings us hope. He who knew no sin, took on the sins of the world, and gave His life that we might live. May you share that hope, and may God bless you and your loved ones this holiday season. Merry Christmas from the ever-changing Denver Murri (and Jones) family to yours.
