Alison L. Moore's Christmas letter

Dear friends, family, and curious passers-by,

Sam moved here to join us in Ontario at the end of January. We have been working diligently to get him landed immigrant status, but it is taking longer than we would have preferred. We started with a new law firm when our current firm’s only remaining immigration lawyer went on extended leave. We had hoped Sam would have his status by now. But it looks like it will be June before we can expect anything. Meanwhile, he seems happy with the local transit system, the beer selections and, oh yeah, living together as a couple! Sam is doing a lot of resting, hiking, reading, and the occasional odd job. I am loving having him here. My life is exponentially better with Sam at my side.

Sam and I had a wonderful vacation in Bracebridge, Ontario, in August, taking the bus, staying in a hotel, and walking a lot when we didn’t have a rental car. Our best memories are of sipping coffee in Cedar Canoe Books, cruising on the Wenonah II out of Gravenhurst, and dining in the excellent and tucked-away Griffin Pub. It is worth the search to find it.

I keep working on connections and memories in Bracebridge because my second novel has many scenes set there. This second novel is set to launch in a week! Nearly 25 years after the first one, it feels remarkably overdue. But at the same time, I am deeply grateful to my patient readers and fans who have waited and cheered me on until I was in a good enough place to finish it! Once it is out in print and on Kindle, I will begin to work on novel three.

Keep your eyes on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheCliffsideChapelSeries/ or the Website https://cliffsidechapel.ca/, or Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/u65399202 for all the news. Donations on Patreon might get you a place as a character in the third book! Meanwhile, book two “To Rule Britannia” is a dream come true after years of despair.

I am one year past my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and for much of the past year I have fared well enough. In the past two months I have struggled more, which has been very hard on my ego’s need to perform, Perform, PERFORM! “Who am I if I am not accomplishing stuff?!” 

It has been a time of deep self-reflection, trying to move into the compassion I would give another if they were struggling with an illness. I tend to feel unlovable if I am not “earning” that love. But instead of pressure and disappointment, the congregation at Good Shepherd simply wishes me to take good care of myself. They are tremendously supportive. I am immensely blessed to have this job.

My first year as the pastor at the Church of the Good Shepherd has gone very well. I love my job and the people I serve, and they seem happy with me. The congregation is growing, and so far, most of the visitors are younger than fifty! The congregation excels at welcoming visitors and including everyone, and this is resulting in new members, excitement, and vitality. I couldn’t ask for a better pastorate.

I am heading into my second season of Advent here at Good Shepherd. I love getting out the four Advent colours (my idea), the Advent wreath, and the bendable figurines with which we tell the Advent story. These physical, artistic, hands-on touches feel good to me and remind me of the sort of things that I loved best from my childhood. The children here seem to love the figures and colours too.

Jordan remains unemployed, along with so many in his cohort, and he works daily to find solutions. He is currently the broadcast technician for the church and is doing a great job. We have an official workstation for him in the loft nowadays! He is also doing some composing for commercial use. He also creates musical vignettes which can go within computer games, or videos, etc., and are available for purchase on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/6uMeH7LPqagCS7C4hZarr3 and on Apple https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/radius-infinity/1832229936. Now he needs to grow in popularity and volume of work. 

My daughters and their spouses are all doing well, and my granddaughters are growing more every year. 

It is a year for gratitude and hope, despite what the world may be saying.

I leave us with a quote from John O’Donahue from To Bless the Space Between Us:

"The word kindness has a gentle sound that seems to echo the presence of compassionate goodness. When someone is kind to you, you feel understood and seen. 

There is no judgment or harsh perception directed toward you. 

Kindness has gracious eyes; 

it is not small-minded or competitive; it wants nothing back for itself. 

Kindness strikes a resonance with the depths of your own heart; 

it also suggests that your vulnerability, though somehow exposed, is not taken advantage of; rather, it has become an occasion for dignity and empathy. 

Kindness casts a different light, an evening light that has the depth of colour and patience

to illuminate what is complex and rich in difference.

From our hearth to yours,

My you find kindness and warmth this Christmas/Holiday Season!

Alison and Sam, (and Jordan)