2025 Christmas Letter

 

December 1, 2025

 

Dear friends and family both near and far,

With December comes the time to, even in a small way, reconnect. And so, I sit at the keyboard, not an uncommon occurrence, and try my best to stitch together a few words about the year Jackie and I have had. Looking back, I recognize as winter’s go, the winter months of 2025 were not hard. There were cold days, but little snow to make life complicated. Honestly, we have had almost as much snow this November as the entirety of last winter. Snow can be pretty, but it no longer has the appeal it had when I was thirteen.

Our first out and away was when we took a day trip to Shipshewana, Indiana in early March. Going to Shipshewana is a fun time. We have gone enough to have our favorite shops and restaurant. And let’s not forget stopping for a Ben’s Pretzel before we leave.

The months that followed had us taking care of things around home, and sweating the final details of my fourth book. Seems impossible, doesn’t it, that with When Light Comes Unexpected, that I have published four novels.

But with June, Jackie and I found a bit of time to head west. Going to Denver is a commitment of its own, especially by auto. We gave ourselves three days each way, which took some stress off the drive. Another thing we did differently was take a more southernly route. You see I have never been in Kansas and my books are set in that state, and I thought it wise to see the “Sunflower State” for myself.

There was another reason to cross Kansas, it was to visit a particular store. Because of her heritage, Jackie had, over the years ordered Swedish things from Hemslojd Gift Shop, downtown Lindsborg, Kansas, and I bent the route to include a stop there. Lindsborg is a small town that is extremely proud of its Swedish heritage. A fun place with a multitude of Dala Horses, each in front of one of the downtown shops and restaurants.

The view from Pikes Peak the moment
 before the snow fell

After we arrived in Colorado, our first adventure was a drive to the top of Pikes Peak. Actually, the parking lot is a few feet short of the absolute summit. The road is nineteen miles of curves that snake up the mountain. The only downside was the snow that began falling almost the instant we stepped out of our vehicle. The weather did not cause any difficulty in getting around, but it sopped in what would have been incredible views. Bummer. Then there is the altitude, 14,115’. I can no longer say that I have never had a problem with altitude, because that day I did. But a bit of rest and something to drink, and I recovered sufficiently for the drive down.

The views in Colorado are 

The following day, we visited Jackie’s aunt. A remarkable lady that resides in Loveland. Then we took the twisty road to Estes Park. Estes Park is a neat place right at the gate of Rocky Mountain National Park. Perhaps next time we will schedule time to visit that park.

We were able to get together with Nick on a couple evenings. The energy in the city of Arvada is incredible. No wonder it is the place Nick calls home.

We enjoyed the trip west, but we were glad to come home safely. The remainder of the summer kept us hopping with activities and responsibilities around home. With a new book added to the summer obligations too, but that’s part of the fun.

Home maintenance of various types kept us close to home this fall. But we did have a couple day escapes. Off to Shipshewana again, and a rainy windy day up to St. Joseph, MI, another of our favorite places. That pretty much describes our year’s activities.

Now for a few specifics: Jackie officially retired in January, and is adjusting to the change, being able to take care of some of the things she couldn’t while she worked. I am still recovering from my knee replacements. That means a fairly serious exercise regimen. My workout generally runs from an hour to an hour and half. That’s serious bite of my day, but it is becoming part of our new normal. As I mentioned earlier, I released a book, but that means work has begun on the next.

As I said before, Nick is happily settled in the Denver area. The golfer he is, sank a hole in one last summer. He continues to work as an engineer in the medical field.

That pretty well covers our 2025. It is our hope that the year has been a good one for you as well, that as you prepare for Christmas, you take time to dwell on the season’s meaning. For we celebrate the birth of God’s Son, and what a wonderful gift, Christ is.

Wishing you a season of joy and light, and a time of love shared with you and those that matter most.  

 

The Vander Veldens    

 

  

 

2023 Christmas Letter

 

2023 Christmas Letter  

December 5, 2023

Friends, another year has nearly come to its completion. I don’t know about you, but it seems that the calendar pages have flipped more quickly than ever before. Here it is with Christmas so near, and it feels like summer had only finished the day before yesterday. But it is December and once again Jackie and I reach out to you.

Where to begin, that always seems to be the hardest part in describing a busy year. Let’s start at the beginning, or near the beginning. For March 7^th was the date for the release

of my third novel, With the Sun’s Rising. I felt compelled to pick that date for it was my father’s 98^th birthday. I sometimes wonder what he would think of my writing. He was a man that had always made his way by sweat and toil, and might not understand the whys I push so hard in this endeavor. Yet I believe he would see the importance of these stories I tell.

Jumping ahead I go to April and our first getaway of the year. Our first choice of road

Lower Falls, Hocking Hills State Park

trips unraveled even before we got the suitcases out of storage. So instead, we directed our eyes and feet in a totally different direction. Jackie and I had promised ourselves that this was the year we would go to Hocking Hills State Park, Logan, Ohio. After seeing pictures of the park, we longed to see for ourselves. Though it rained, and rained, and rained, we donned our rain gear, our hiking boots, and poles, and ventured the trails of the park with care.

Though the weather was less than perfect, particularly for the photographer in me, the rain fed the streams. The trees and foliage were bright with what Mom called, “new green,” and waterfalls were fantastic. We spent three days wandering six trails and saw many of the wonders of the area. If you love the outdoors and like hiking among rocky cliffs and flowing water, go to Hocking Hills.

In June Jackie and I set our sights northward to one of our favorite areas. We planned another four-day escape with Holland, Michigan, as our temporary base. Stopping in St. Joseph on our way north for some shopping and a walk along the Lake Michigan shore. The following day we visited Saugatuck and several of the interesting shops in that artsy community. That afternoon found us hiking out to the Saugatuck Dunes on an intensely hot day, but the views of the lake were incredible.

Of course we went to Windmill Island on this trip. I find many reminders of my family’s culture there. Perhaps it had rained while we were in Ohio, but the weather at Lake Michigan’s shoreline may have been a bit warm, but in every other aspect it was fantastic. We drove up to Grand Haven and wandered about among other tourists through the quaint downtown. The trip concluded with a stop at South Haven as we headed southward, another one of our favorite places. We would have taken more time, but our precious wonder dog, wasn’t feeling the best when we left. We had entrusted her to some dear friends that loved her nearly as much as Jackie and I, but all the same we felt the four days enough of a parting.

A short time after our return from Michigan, Cloey, a dog that was so much more than a pet, took a turn for the worse. It should not have surprised us, for our small dear friend had not been well for at least 2 years. But she had recovered each bout in the past, and we had hoped that she would rebound once again. But though she rallied a few times and we were certain the crisis had passed; the end came quite suddenly during August’s closing days.

Even now I am not certain we will ever fully recover from the separation. I still want to call out her name as I enter what had been her domain. But we feel so fortunate that we were able to share those 13 and a half years with the small dog with a large heart.

It was mid-September before we ventured down the road once again. Another hiking

vacation was the plan. We drove down to Turkey Run State Park, near Crawfordsville, Indiana. Though the leaves were changing it was a little too early for fall’s color peak. None the less, Jackie and I dared to hike trail three, one of the more rugged trails. Our intentions were to tackle a trail or two in Shades State Park the following day, except the rains began during the night. We had walked a bit in that park before and it did not seem wise to clumber along slippery stony trails along cliffs, so we postponed those hikes for another trip. Instead, we took in the Park County Indiana Covered Bridge Festival.

Rain did little to dampen the spirits of those that took festivals seriously.  We don’t, you understand, but it was interesting to see the thousands that seemed to have no problem slugging through muddy parking lots and going from tent to tent to tent. The festival is spread between 10 communities, we visited three. I consider the Mill in Mansfield the high point to our day.

Ogle Lake, Brown County State Park

That pretty well covers our out of time adventures.

Jackie continues to help at the pharmacy, as a fill in when needed. She says those obligations will likely cease in the coming year. Time alone will tell.

Nick remains in the Denver, Colorado area. He continues to work for ConMed, as an engineer in the research and development department of the surgical device company. He so enjoys the city and its location. Our son has fallen in love with the mountains and hikes as well as other outside activities (read golf).

As for me, I give all the time I can to my writing. I am working on the fourth book of the Misty Creek Series. Time at the keyboard and a wide variety of Author’s Events fills nearly every moment I can spare, and more than I should allow. 

So, that gives you just a taste of our lives this past year. I leave you with these few words: know that you remain in our thoughts and prayers. It is our hope that this coming season fills you with all the joy and light it can, for Christmas is a very special time. And as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we are reminded just how much God loves us. For God is revealed in love and love is the greatest force in the universe. It is our hope that you tap into that love, that you share it with those you care about, as well as your friends and neighbors.

Have a blessed Christmas,

The Vander Veldens