"The Weight" is over

It was mailed yesterday. Our annual holiday letter. What began as a postcard from me and my dog has morphed into a family newsletter –and my burden. I’m somewhat embarrassed to send it to our friends, as many find such letters boorish. I try not to make it a brag-fest, just recount the year’s news with as much self-deprecating humor as I can muster. The old people, my parents’ friends in particular, anticipate this newsletter. Some will even call to ask when it’s coming out. They talk amongst themselves too, wondering, when it’s not mailed until January for instance, if I’ve given up. I do persist, without too much whining, and publication ensues. Though each year I threaten to charge them a subscription fee.