Sztanyo Christmas Greeting 2018!
May this Christmas season be your family's
most meaningful ever! From our family to yours have a
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dear Family & Friends,
In our 2006 letter I wrote, “As time goes by, the less I like change. I believe that is a constant we can all relate to. This Christmas season is like the past ones in so many ways …..yet different! There are some memories from the “ole” days, I cherish.” Now, for this year, we have adopted a theme of ‘Everything old is new again.’ Even the old words written in a past Christmas letter can be new again. After all, there really isn’t anything new under the sun… right? And while we have a few high tech devices that seem like the latest and greatest, there are a lot of old things that are now in like Flynn.
Here are a few old fads now hot again:
Beards
Muscle cars
Wide ties
Barn weddings
Horn rimmed glasses
Angora sweaters
Slot car racing
Shag carpet….. and of course the list goes on and on!
Yet, while I wax nostalgic, here are a few ‘good ole’ things that I wish indeed would make a comeback:
Baseball cards, clothes-pinned to the spokes, turning any bicycle into a motorbike.
Gas station attendants; pumping the gas, checking oil and cleaning the windshield.
When a quarter was a decent allowance and a 2nd one almost a miracle.
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot.
Or being sent to the principal’s office was nothing compared to what was going to happen at home.
Taking drugs meant chewing orange flavored aspirin gum.
Kids didn’t stare at a device but rather played hopscotch, jacks, kickball, dodgeball or anti-I-over.
Neighbors who know the people who live in their block
Boy, it wouldn’t be hard for any of us to expand this second list either.
The recent George H W Bush funeral was touching in many ways but particularly so in that it brought to mind something else besides “things” that may be old (or old fashioned) but still cherished deeply. The character and values held by those like George from the “greatest generation” are certainly missed today and I wish they would make a big comeback. And this time of year, with all the events around Christmas time, it sure brings a lot of those kinds of honor, integrity, and respect…. thoughts to mind.
Two quotes from that moving funeral left me with a big impression. The first from former PM Mulroney offering the ole Irish proverb, “There are good ships and wood ships, ships that sail the sea, but the best ships are friendships, may they always be!” And the second quote was from Rev. Russell J. Levenson Jr.,”Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary…. use words.”
The more things change, the more things also stay the same. On a personal note, Barb and I, our boys and their wives and 11 grandkids are all well and doing fine and are blessed in many many ways. On a global note, we as people, all have more similarities than differences. Among those similarities, we all need our family, our friends and the hope for better tomorrow. For you and your family this Christmas, our simple wish is for the miracle of this season’s celebrated birth, to highlight the hope through faith given to all mankind……… like never before!
From our family to yours,
Merry Christmas from Florence!
From the Kentucky Sztanyo’s
Peace, Love and Joy!
Until next year!
For those who can't get enough...... here's a little more!
2018 Offerings
Every year we learn a little something new and wish to share something a little different. Hope you find something you enjoy.
Photos/Videos
- 4 reflective questions from 30 years ago at our Florence family Christmas - 1988 4 questions
- Fun Merged Video - Clip of Dr Newheart play with Dr Fric and Dr Frac, performed by two family members Eric and David, with a whopping 30 years between! This is really fun with Uncle Eric playing Dr Fric and Grandson David playing Dr Frac.
Writings/Articles
- A 21 year ago hunt that was made fresh again by a recent return trip and muzzle hunt at the infamous pulpy wine farm near Henderson, KY. Why is the hunt such a big deal? One reason may be the great memories created such as this: The "River" Buck
Wishing You the Merriest Christmas of all!
This online Christmas greeting replaces our traditional snail-mail paper version.
Please share this page with your family & Facebook friends.
2018 Christmas below!
Yep, 3 boys their wives & 11 precious grandkids!
Left to right Back to front: Brian, Bridgett, Bailey, Witni, Eric, Miriam, Mike, Heather, Marisa, David,
Then middle: Corin, Emil, Joey, Elaina, Hallie,
Then front: Barb, Rafe, Mark and Sawyer.
