Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Christmas and New Year's Letters -- Cheesy?

Our egos went Pop! when two of our (five) kids pronounced our new year's "annual report" Cheesy.  We thought the 100 or so letters sent to family, friends and acquaintances rather clever and informative.  Cheesy?

Well, they really meant -- isn't it cheesy to crow about what a great year we had, how lucky we are, what travels our good health accommodates?  It's cheesy enough to puff ourselves up, but to be cute to boot?  And on reflection -- they're right.  While we did wish others well, as such holiday greetings ought to do, even then it was self-congratulatory; we wished 2016 would be as good for them as 2015 had been for us.  OMG, Cheesy indeed!

Good for Amy and Cam.  Despite a few (very few) comments from friends and acquaintances that they welcomed the update, we feel properly chastised.  One New Year's resolution is not to be cheesy next year.

Some news might be welcome to those far away -- in time or distance.  But perhaps the best model is the card from Tiger and Babs -- a lovely poem about the holidays, a photo of them showing good health and happiness without bragging about it, and a heartfelt wish for us.  Simple and thoughtful -- with no preening or crowing. So here's to simple, short and other-centered.


2016 launches with a good lesson for me.  Cheers.  

5 comments:

  1. Well, I liked it, so I guess I'm cheesy too. I thought it was informative and clever; so there! I've just been too swamped to respond before this. Besides at our ages, if we can't be cheesy who can? It's better than struggling to appear hip in our dotage! Hah!

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  2. In my defense I'm thrilled you're happy, well, traveling and enjoying each other! Would we want it any other way? Of course not! Happy New Year!

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  3. Hey, I see what you did there . . .
    To continue to talk about yourselves even in a seemingly self deprecating manner is still talking about yourselves.
    I know you can't help yourself.
    Cheers!

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  4. Several folks chimed in via e-mail, and all liked the report. Perhaps it's like an omelet -- cheesy but good.

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  5. Well, I actually enjoyed it. Cheesy? Yes. Old school? Definitely. But at least you didn't include photos of yourselves wearing Christmas sweaters. Then you would've definitely crossed the line.

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