Sytsema Christmas Letter: 2023
Dearest Reader:
I am Leonidas, beloved goldendoodle, prince of the Bob and Heather Garretson family. You may call me Leo. My people have left me for the holidays, and I am being cared for in my home by James Sytsema. Despite my objections, I continue to find myself passing time in the neighboring Sytsema home. They “invited” me to be in their Christmas photo. I understand the holidays are hectic, yet I fear all their lives are lived in a very uncivilized manner.
Heidi has shown questionable judgment, signing up for a second week as a delegate to the CRC Synod. While she made some new friends, she is happy to be done with her term as council president at Bethany Church so she can’t go again. My family celebrated with the wayward Sytsemas when Bethany bravely adopted a stance of inclusion and full participation for LGBTQ+ members this fall. She seems to find comfort in Milo and Murphy, though she added a “Bird Buddy” video birdfeeder to assist. I am sufficient for my people.
If that wasn't enough, Marty had his busiest year at i’move. There are no new clinics, but many new coworkers joined the team. He still finds time to make his craft ice cubes and is trying to decide if he loves or hates golf. While debriefing his week with a glass of bourbon, he told me that as he gets older, time really does go faster. If only that were true of the time I spend with them...
They’ve chosen odd ways to escape the mess of remodeling projects, pool maintenance, and intentional and act-of-God tree removal, taking an RV trip and trying out their “Tentsla,” which is a tent that attaches to the Tesla. At least they spent a couple vacations in civilized lodging.
A bright spot is spending more time with James - he loves staying with me. I miss him while he is at work as a funeral director. A fishing trip to Canada with friends nearly put a hook through his eye, so I do worry for him. He has a lot of energy, playing on three volleyball teams with his girlfriend, Lyric, and completing two triathlons. I think he has some doodle in him.
Anna and I are not very close because she has horrible taste in dogs and prefers the chaos of Milo and Murphy. She’s freelance marketing and finally entering her “adult era” as she’s working enough to afford her lifestyle. She made me write this letter now that she “doesn’t write for free.” Moving into a GR house with four friends (and dog and cat), seeing Taylor Swift in concert, and finishing her final summer at The Deck have made for a great new season.
Grace has left the bedlam of dorm life for an apartment by Chicago’s Wrigley Field. In her second year at DePaul, she is majoring in Geography/Urban Planning with an environmental focus, and I am proud of her. While at home, she works at Barry’s Greenhouse and grows her collection of plants and tattoos. She’s often on Facetime with friends around the country.
Milo and Murphy make me embarrassed to be a dog. They bark at squirrels, eat underwear, and steal food. The family says the love they provide exceeds their flaws, but I disagree. Though I have some very strong feelings about the Sytsemas, I can appreciate the love, joy, and care that they have for one another and the people in their life. From their noisy home, I join them in wishing you the best for the coming year.
