1992

S C H L A V E R C H R I S T M A S C H I M E S December, 1992

O HOLY NIGHT

I have been looking over the past Christmas letters we have sent to relatives and friends trying to come up with an idea. I finally decided these words of C. O. are timely for today as in 1957.

"Christmas is a time to look up to the heavens, not in search for some man-made sputnik, but to wonder which was the star that stood over the Holy Child and led the Wise Men on that wonderful night so long ago. Would that we could all go back to that Holy Night, gathering in Bethlehem for a moment to forget all things that are foreign to the real idea of Christmas observance! The miracle of the season is that it turns our thoughts away from self and towards others. It is with such a spirit that we extend holiday greetings to kin and friends. We count our blessings--happy to be busy, thankful for health and joy of another year of sharing hobbies, work and experiences as a family at 400 South I-Oka in Mount Prospect, Illinois."

The past year for me has been one of pleasant memories with friends and relatives. A vacation trip was made to Richmond, Virginia to be with the Coplan Clan, and a side trip to West Virginia to visit Bert and Ralph Thomas.

This past November had the pleasure of sharing the 50th wedding anniversary party of Lorraine and Norb Peeters, our I-Oka neighbors, and seeing Bill and Tom again.

I had a surprise birthday party with Marcia, Mark, Michelle, Clay and Shane from Dowagiac, Michigan, Helen, Sue and Mary from Davenport, Iowa and Edward and Birdie from Champaign. Matthew was missed, but he had finals so was unable to be with us. He graduates from Notre Dame in January with two degrees, engineering and history, and is now looking for a job. David was with us from Notre Dame, but will miss him at Christmas as he will soon be on his way to Bangladesh to visit Holy Cross friends and Bengalis for a few weeks. Paul, Ben and Julian sent a video of themselves and wished me a happy birthday and an invitation to visit Cambridge, Massachusetts in the spring.

MY BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Love and Peace,

Elizabeth C. Schlaver