At the risk of sounding like a marketing email,
We hope the Dispatch finds you healthy and well.
What a doozy of a year—an objective humdinger.
The effects of the ‘rona, most likely, will linger.
But alas, there’s a great deal to be grateful for;
Each other, our health and a heckuva lot more!

The pupper, of course, is a big happy floof,
His sunny disposition? Pretty much weatherproof.
Mondays with Milo, and the Big Friendly Giant,
Kept remote second graders completely compliant.
When it comes to living that stay-at-home life,
Highly recommended: a good dog and great wife.

Speak of the lady and supportive companion,
Our favorite teacher and a bona fide champion.
Remote online learning, not enough on her plate?
With her masters in May, she did graduate.
On top of all this, a big-time transition,
From second in the spring to a kindergarten mission.

Yours truly, meanwhile, in some ways did thrive,
The hermit lifestyle, in true overdrive.
Woodwork and endless three-dimensional printing,
Web dev, design, old-man pixel-squinting.
Together with Sarah, some backyard landscaping,
Garage organization and general home-shaping.

Big Al in Lyons, an internet installation,
Speech therapy at her rural telepractice station.
Mike in the Air Force, up in South Dakota,
Through Embry-Riddle meeting his online course quota.
Great ‘rents, Meg and Rehaan, Denver Health king and queen,
Have received their first dose of the corona vaccine.

Dorothy and Steve, with occasional cakes,
Enjoy Swedish fika—afternoon coffee breaks.
The Dwyers, meanwhile, via Zoom calls this year,
Hang with number-one grandson, for a strong dose of cheer.
Many friends and family, now parents as well,
With bundles of joy that we think are just swell.

No doubt about it, there’s been plenty of struggle,
Quite a few challenges we all learned to juggle.
While everyone faced a unique situation,
There’s a light up ahead, and by my calculation,
Just eleven days left ‘til the new year’s begun,
Let us ride out Triumphantly, to twenty-twenty-one!

A merry Christmas and a happy new year, to you and your families!
Stay safe & healthy out there. 🤗 — _Sarah, Casey & Milo_