Sytsema Christmas Letter: 2021
I don’t know about you all, but the Sytsema Family is pretty exhausted. In order to boost morale, we have designed an elaborate point system to determine the winner of 2021. The scoring is extremely accurate and should not be questioned by any of the readers. If you take issue with said point system, you can respond via mail with suggestions we may consider for next year’s card (but likely will not). Let's get started, shall we?
Marty: For opening two clinics this year, one in GR and one (finally!) in Muskegon, he gets 25 points each. He also gets 50 points for turning 50 this year. A winning ticket to a PT gala at the National Cathedral brought Marty and Heidi to Washington, D.C. (+25), and he’s kept busy making giant crystal clear ice cubes for his bourbon (+25). However, 25 points are deducted for not noticing Anna’s haircut a few weeks ago. Total points: 125
Heidi: Also turning 50 this year, Heidi gets 50 points, but given that she already received 50 days of birthday, 25 points are deducted. Enough is enough. Heidi ran the Ragnar again, kicking butt (+25), and has spent much of the year walking the dog and having outdoor happy hour with friends in a new sleeping bag suit (+50 and you should totally get one). For marking 15 years at the Community Foundation, she adds 25 points. Total points: 125
James: After graduating from mortuary school and passing his boards, James is now a licensed funeral director, earning him a whopping 75 points. He moved into his new place in May (+25) and has enjoyed adulting thus far, especially all of the new space for his dinosaur paraphernalia. He’s considering purchasing a washer-dryer set (+50). Finally, James has had a few of his TikToks go viral, earning him +25. However, because he constantly tells Grace and Anna to go like and comment on everything he posts, 50 points are taken away. Total points: 125
Anna: Unable to return to London due to COVID, Anna spent some time in Hilton Head and New Smyrna Beach, FL (+25) before returning to Calvin to study Communication and Sociology. She’s happy living above a bakery, and earns 50 points for having yet to purchase anything containing gluten. She assistant-coached the WMC girls soccer teams (+25) and spent her third summer working at The Deck and would once again like to remind everyone to tip your servers (+25). Asking about post-graduation plans will cost you 500 points. Total points: 125.
Grace: Tolerating Anna as a coach, Grace was a soccer captain this spring and is looking forward to her senior season (+25). She finished her golf career and was called “the glue that kept the team together” (+25). She will graduate from WMC in the spring and has been accepted into several colleges (+25), but don’t ask her where she’s planning to go or you again risk losing 500 points. She lucked into driving a vintage Jeep Wrangler all summer which she has been loving, and she does look pretty cool in it. (+50). Total points: 125
Milo: Bringing all of the snuggles and kisses that a doggo should, Milo earns 500 points. However, he loses 10 points for every pair of pants, underwear, and shorts that he has destroyed in our house. Total points: 125
Honorary mention: Charlie, our old Shih Tzu, died in August. She had a good life and was loved. RIP Chuckles.
This year has not been easy on anyone, but we are thankful for our health and the people in our life who make it better year to year. As you can see, we all ended up with 125 points, making us all tied for the winner of 2021. These are challenging times, and it is important to reward yourself for all of the victories, both big and small.
*Oh, I almost forgot. The person who writes the Christmas letter gets an extra 15 points, so I guess Anna wins. Better luck next time, family!
