You send me

There are dishes in the sink. There are shreds of wrapping paper trailing across the floor. There are toys to be assembled. But these can wait till tomorrow.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. We did. I want to thank you for the cards, well-wishes, e-mails, phone calls, gifts and warm remembrances you sent our way this year. If you read this blog, then you've contributed to the brightness of our holiday.

The distance from New York to London is 3463 miles. The distance from Anchorage to Birmingham, Alabama, where Alan's parents live, is 3343 miles. No wonder some people think Alaska is in another country. But around Christmas, when holiday letters, cards and packages arrive, I am struck by how blessed we are to be remembered by all of you and to be kept close in your hearts.

The girls had a great Christmas. Meggie loves this time of year. She stalks the nicest light displays and she has her favorites. If she happens to be looking the wrong way when we drive past, she wants to know why she missed the "Christmas house," "Christmas school" or "Christmas church." Sometimes the lights are already off when we drive by on our way to preschool. "Hey! Why'd they turn off my Christmas?"

Laurel had a good time today, too. Meggie helped her to open her presents. And big sister did her duty by instructing Laurel in the proper way to play with the new toys.

In the afternoon, we visited friends to have a joint Christmas dinner. Meggie and her friend Henry broke in his Christmas loot.

Alan and I had a wonderful day. The greatest gift was to see the girls so happy and to revel in the fact that they have all of you, such caring family members and friends, in their lives.

Thank you. You send me.

All our love and merry Christmas,