Mail is a wonderful thing when you see those handwritten addresses instead of the usual typed bank statement or utility bill. Christmas card season is the best time of year for the mailbox. Since we weren’t really able to pull it together and mail out cards, we are sharing this poem which took an embarrassingly long time to write. We will do our best to get back in the saddle next year, but until then, hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season.
Our 2019 Christmas Poem
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Two humans were reminiscing about their time in Laos.
The magical country ended up at the top of their list
Along with Namibia and Slovenia and other places that they miss.
Twas a year of travels to finish a decade of fun,
They just couldn’t imagine slowing down this amazing run.
Writing their wishlist to Santa with big hopes and dreams
They want to find a new place to call home it seems.
Let’s take a look back at the past ten years
There was lots of laughter and certainly some tears.
It’s hard not to reflect as a new decades starts
There has been a lot of learning and a few moving parts.
The decade began in a small house in St. Paul
With a backyard for games and they had a ball.
Close to moms and dads and brothers and sisters too
Two dogs made the family whole – Lola and Quincy Doo.
After a few years of domestic bliss and Minnesota cold,
They started to get antsy and felt a little more bold.
Work made an offer for new jobs on the east coast
The house was emptied and they took only what they loved most.
From a house to an apartment, the adjustment was quick
Meeting new friends in the dog park was pretty slick.
With New York City in view across the mighty Hudson
They settled in nicely for a few years of fun.
To Brooklyn they went next for a little change of pace
They felt right at home shoveling pizza to the face.
The year flew by quickly and soon they’d be packing again.
Back to Minnesota to deal with the cold and the wind.
In a Minneapolis bungalow, tragedy struck the foursome.
Two dogs fell ill and died before summer could come.
Suddenly there was little holding them in one spot
What adventures could be had so they started to plot.
They had been saving all of their nickels and pennies
And when they added it up, they found they had plenty.
Two tickets purchased to a land called New Zealand
Excitement was building and they had all the feelings.
2019 started off with lots of planning and packing
They had to pass on work duties with no time for slacking.
Belongings & furniture were passed on to new homes
And the house was cleared out straight to the bones.
In April, they said so long to their family and friends
The adventure began with two bags and no end.
24 countries in a year including the US of A
Some magical memories were made along the way.
From the Southern Alps to the beaches of Thailand,
The castles of Europe and one Indonesian island,
They have spent the year checking things off their dream list
Now they are back to catch up on things they have missed.
As they reflect back on their journey and the previous decade,
It’s the people they’ve met and the friends that they’ve made
The kindness, love and support matter above all else
They are grateful for their people, the memories & their health.
May your holidays be filled with so much love & light
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
