Harris Family Christmas Card

This is a letter my Dad wrote for Christmas. For all those who know the Harris Family, this may be a fun read for you! The Clark Christmas Card will be posted shortly!

October 2007 SLC Brooke and Mike Lowry, Maryjoy, Victoria, Glen and Dana Rusche BRIG, Greg, Brianna, Paige and Trey Clark, holding Brooklyn

Dear Friends, It has been a few years since we sent out a Family Photo because we haven’t been in the same place at the same time. Paige was in Taiwan, then Brig in Brazil and Dana in France/Switzerland and the years away overlapped. And this Christmas Brooke and Mike are in Norway for a year. All 8 plus hubbies were only together for a few days at Dana’s wedding to Glen Rusche but I wangled a picture of just us and I am pleased to attach it…it’s not the small kids anymore and it now includes Mike Lowry (Brooke’s), Paige’s Trey Clarke, Paige and Trey’s brand new (September) Brooklyn (our first Grandchild) and newest recruit Glen Rusche who married Dana in October. Smart move Glen- your life will be more interesting! So our family is growing. I would like to say that for sons-in-law we are batting 1000% and we are thrilled with Mike, Trey and Glen- and needless to say, Brig appreciates the ever changing Balance of Power. Paige and Trey are in Chattanooga TN, Dana and Glen are in California, Bree is at Utah State (Logan) and our baby Victoria is doing grade 11 in Provo, Utah and is staying with The Wonderful Ginger Woolley, Maryjoy’s friend from her California pre-teen years.
My Dad N. Stuart is a cool 93, living in Whiterock BC with my sister Saint Norma and her hubby Don Malin. Dad’s being extremely well loved and cared for (as is Don for that matter!) and Dad still enjoys a good laugh and Norma’s legendary fine cooking. Pops finished a book the other day and said “Great, now I can start again because I can’t remember what it’s about”. He is still the Ultimate Gentleman and never complains. I really think he feels no pain. He stayed with us for awhile in Calgary and one evening he waxed forth about his life in Calgary during WWII.
This year our family has had a really big downer. Mj’s brother Cam hit his head on a tree, the wrong way, while tobogganing with his son and has lost the use of his legs. He has a great attitude and he and his wife Sharon are doing well but it still is just lousy. He sang a beautiful and poignant solo at Dana’s wedding then, with Maryjoy and Jon –The CV Singers less Doni, sang “Today”. Alberta and Joy were visibly proud as they should have been. Mj’s parents Bert and Joy are fine, getting older but fighting it all the way. They are 80 something going on 60 something.
Dana’s elementary and junior high school friend Cpl. Nathan Hornburg was killed in active duty in Afghanistan. The funeral was the week before Dana’s wedding.
Maryjoy is as beautiful as ever, everybody loves her, and we are enjoying these first days of empty nesting. I want her to paint but she wants to save the world’s sea turtles. My life is way more interesting because I married her. And I still mean it when I say to her “Thanks for marrying me.” We celebrate our 30th Anniversary this Dec 29. Lots has happened since 1977. Each of you receiving this letter and a lot of others who have moved on, changed addresses then emails, have had an effect on our lives and we thank you for your kindness and friendship to us and our kids. And a Special Thanks to the parents of those fine men who have married our daughters. We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Joyous and Prosperous 2008. GREG and MARYJOY HARRIS Calgary, AB Christmas 2007