The 2025 Kowalewski Christmas Card Letter

2025 marks the 6th annual Kowalewski Christmas Card Letter. I’ve now written five of them, and Ada wrote one (last year’s). I think I finally found my “audience” for these letters.  My Mom. Why do I need an “audience” you ask? Because, if a letter-writer isn’t careful, they might talk about things no one cares about or their letter might sound like brag after brag after brag. The “bragging” has been the part I struggle with. I’ve always said, I love getting letters from others when they send me a Christmas Card and, personally, I don’t mind if they tell me about their 12 trips to Europe, their new Lamborghini, and include a picture that shows them with their arm around Jeff Bezos on Jeff Bezos largest-yacht-ever-built.  Sure, that would be a little braggy, but if I have a close relationship with that person, and that person feels like my friendship is worth of getting their family Christmas card and letter, then there’s a pretty good possibility I’ll be happy to hear about their months in Europe, Lambo’, and their friendship with The Beez’ (which I assume is what Jeff Bezos’ friends call him).

There’s a fine line between “letting you know and wish we talked more often” and “look at me and how great I am.”  Which is why, when I sat down to write this year’s letter, I decided to write it as if I’m writing to my Mom.  She’s been gone 21 years. I fully believe she’s in Heaven, watching, and blessing us and knows ALL of this, but I wrote the letter (and will write future letters) as if God gives her one message from the world every year and I hope it’s my letter.

Yes, I’d probably brag a little to my Mom if she were around, but not in the letter. Things like GPAs, hourly wages, salaries, and details like that? That’s not really worthy of a letter. Just the fun updates.

The full letter is here but some of the highlights include…

• Jimmy’s in the middle of his 3rd year at MSU
• Ada’s enjoying her Freshman year at Alabama
• Marylin graduated from MSU and got a job as a Child Life Specialist
• The family took a trips to Tuscaloosa, Nashville, and Torch Lake
• My Dad and I made an epic road trip to Tuscaloosa

Again, I wish more Christmas Cards had family letters. We received many cards and are blessed to have so many friends, but only 4 letters.

Maybe I should write random people letters throughout the year.

Here’s hoping, letter or card or not, that your 2025 was GREAT and that your 2026 will be amazing.