Christmas 1981

Bells are jingling, noses tingling

Tim's a'flying, people buying,

Everyone's as busy as they can be

Putting up and fixing up the Christmas tree;

And the Rochats would like to give a brief summary.

1981 went flying---(I don't hear any babies crying). Susan asks, "Shall we have one more?" Roger scowls and goes out the door. After all, he's now Director Of the Family Planning Sector.

Travelling takes Rog to distant places And some overpopulated spaces; Though missed at home, we all are willing To share his talents and not begrudge his milling 'Round the world, spending pound and shilling.

"Mom, where's my lunchbox, the carpool's waiting!" "It was right here;" "Now my homework's missing!" (Gosh, has it been like this all year?) Kids, home and husband keep Susan busy And now, selling Avon, She's in a tizzy!

Melanie Jean, now a young lady of ten, A clean room and fifth grade aren't her favorite yen She'd much rather paint, play and be creative, (Multipication tables and sentence diagramming are rather superlative!) Her talents are many; her flaws---well, hardly any!

David is eight and a big second grader; Still loves lawnmowers and the shredder bagger. Macho man he and strong as can be, Yet loves to be cuddled and patted at night. Though school's not his joy, he's our favorite boy.

Suzette mignon's four and soon to be five. She's busy and happy and very much alive! Her favorite things are pre-school and friends. She's tumbling and dancing and doing the bends. Her joy of life, it just never ends!

Last August we five went out West for a wedding. A special occasion for all was the uniting Of brother John and his Ruth in a garden setting. Rochat history we learned, and camped by a creek Of the same name---oh what a week! ("a la Mabel et Philippi)

And now as the year draws close to its end, The birth of the Christ child we celebrate again. The meaning of Christmas, may it touch you anew; May your joys be unnumbered, your sorrows be few, May God bless and keep you in all that you do.

Susan's hand: Hope you had a pleasant trip our West. We're enjoying the snow in Peoria. Hope to be back home before New Years. Lots of love to each, Roger, Susan et al.

See Albert Rochat's google site to see original photo of family