Happy Holidays 2023 'The Holiday Lesson'

                                                                                                                                        

For the first time in 23 years, the Allred Family holiday letter will not be filled with bad news so that you all may feel a little better about your own lives. For example, it will not be shared that both Kyle and Michelle (two different incidents/two different cars) were rear-ended and both cars were totaled or that now every time Kyle sees a similar car he calls out, “love it while you can!” We won’t share that I was part of a horrifying telephone scam in which AI was used to imitate Tommy’s voice or that Katie stepped in (while in Austin near a known homeless area) human feces. That Robb insists on doing his “Pig Man” face to the horror of his granddaughters or that it took the vet and two vet techs, a muzzle and three Trazadone to take Remi down for a check-up will not be discussed. Nope. None of that. And why … you ask? 

For the first time in 23 years, I know in advance that something horrible is going to happen to the Allred family but cannot share what until after Christmas. Think of this as merely a precursor to the REAL letter (to be revealed in the new year).  There will be pictures and videos. Viewer discretion will be advised. Stay tuned.

            In the meantime, we hoped to share a story in the true spirit of the holidays. It is the story of how we all make mistakes, and if we are wise, grow from these experiences. It is a story of strength and fortitude, of empowering others, creating hope and generating change. It is the story of Harper, age 2, throwing a colossal fit ~ much like the time Kerri flipped out after she crushed her phone in the car door. She is 30. Or much like the time Robb went berserk when the “dirty, rotten, cheatin’ Longhorns” were “given” a game by the “[censored] refs.” He is 55.

A Holiday Lesson

            Harper was in the middle of a very important and dramatic fit (note: one shoe kicked off to the side with intense and purposeful message to those who insisted she wear shoes to the park) when her Grumpa (aka Pig Man) took a picture of this vulnerable state of despair.

            Harper noted this act of betrayal from Pig Man and rallied. Nay, she took the playground by storm. While her sister, Ella, approached the crowded park with caution, Harper dominated – literally.

            She crawled up the highest slide again and again, so fast her accompanying adults could not keep up. Other times she entered the slide from the bottom, scrambling up to the top with great speed. No fear. No hesitation. Families watched; children marveled. One boy became an announcer, a little Don King of the slide: “Heeeere she comes!”

            Little Harper forgave Grumpa Pig Man (arguably one of her most favorite people) his indiscretions and she climbed like no two-year-old has ever climbed before. She showed Ella there was nothing to fear and she smiled at the cheering crowd ~ the memory of the “I no wanna wear shoes!” event forgotten. As Harper navigated the massive slide with unprecedented skills and very short legs, mouths hung open. “She’s done it!” Little Don King shouted.

            A new champion of Chapman Park was born as was a new lesson: Don’t kick of your shoe in a show of rage because someone always has a camera.  May you always climb the highest slides of your life!!

*Stay tuned for Holiday letter Part II when the “gift” has been given (and survived). For those new to our letters, check out http://allredgreetings.blogspot.com/

                                                                                                        LOVE ALWAYS,

                                                                                                                THE ALLREDS