Dear family and friends,

This year's Christmas letter is especially hard to write. First off, Theresa usually wrote them. Secondly, I'm just beginning to be able to think about life without her and writing about it is quite difficult. Anyway, here goes.

This year has been one of adjustment. The kids have helped me immensely - I'm not much of a cook and don't like cooking, so they each take me in one night a week for dinner.

Some of the highlights since March are described below. I attended all of them. Hence, I've been quite busy. I've had to adjust attending all these family events with no partner. Sure is hard. 

In mid-May, Mike & Mary were in Minnesota from California for a wedding in Mary's family. Margaret took the opportunity to host a wonderful party for all the relatives at her beautiful home near Blue Earth. Most everyone was there.

In June, I spent a fun-filled week with Garth & Hannah at Dave's cabin north of Alexandria. We had a great time fishing, swimming, & sitting around the fire. Dave had to stay home and work until Thursday evening and then rode his motorcycle up and joined us.

My father, who turned 91 in July, is doing well. He & Marlys continue to live in their own home in Blue Earth. For relaxation and for fun, I spent 2 different weeks staying with Jim and Diane and visiting Pop & Marlys while down there. Jim will be retired from farming in 7 years when he turns 70, so I like to help out while he's still farming. We all spent Independence Day together, which is also Pop's birthday, at Margaret's for a delicious family buffet.

Dan & Dawn are rail fans, meaning they know a lot about trains and train history and love traveling on trains. So in early August, Dan, Dawn, David, Garth, & Hannah, and yours truly, traveled by Amtrak to Chicago. We had a wonderful time and spent all day at the Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.

One weekend in early September, Dan & Dawn invited me to travel with them on a steam train excursion. We traveled in very old coaches pulled by a beautiful old steam locomotive. On Saturday, we went out west of the Twin Cities about 100 miles to Glenwood, Minnesota. On Sunday, we went east across the St. Croix River to Dresser, Wisconsin.

Throughout the spring and summer Kathy & Cam invited me to numerous family outings, such as Connor's band concert, Kyla's first horseback riding show and other events.

Theresa & I graduated from 2 different high schools in 1957 and this year was our 50-year reunions. At my reunion, 12 out 15 classmates were in attendance. Theresa was on her Reunion Committee and we both attended her meetings and helped with organization duties. So when her reunion occurred in late September, I attended for both of us. As the lone widower attending the banquet, I was asked to light a candle in remembrance of all 14 deceased classmates out of a class of over 100.

My sister-in-law, Diane, suggested that I host Thanksgiving at my place and that I should and could cook a turkey. Well, after discussing it with the kids, they all agreed and we decided that they'd each bring the side dishes. So, on Thanksgiving, I cooked my first turkey and I must admit it turned out better than I had expected.

2007 was a banner year for high school graduations in the Meyer and Bleess families with a total of 5 graduations. I was able to attend and enjoy all of them.

Several weddings also occurred in 2007. On March 31st, Theresa's brother, Rich's daughter, Bethany & Nate Dos, exchanged vows. On July 7th, my brother, Pat & wife Sue, hosted their wedding reception. On a lovely summer day on September 1st, Theresa's sister, Frani's son, Jeff & Kayla Zabel, were wed. On a fall afternoon, Theresa's sister, Ginger's daughter, Hannah & Mike Niles were married. Eric Smith & Suzanne were married on November 17th. Suzie is Roger's only sister, Margaret's daughter.

The Land O' Lakes District Fall Barbershop Singing Convention in October had a special meaning this year. About a month earlier in Blue Earth while at my brother's, I had received an e-mail message stating, "LO'L Hall of Fame Committee has unanimously endorsed your election to the LO'L Hall of Fame." Suffice it to say, it was very nice being recognized. All the kids as well as Theresa's cousins and uncle attended the presentation and as my friend, Jim Richards, so aptly put it, "Theresa would have been very proud."

The Great Northern Union men's chorus that I sing with also had several public performances: Madison, Wisconsin, in April; Twins game in June; St. Olaf church in Minneapolis with Cantus in June; Faribault's Fesler-Lambert Performance Arts Center in September. But for the first time since the early 70's, I missed the chorus' annual show in November due to a wedding.

I'm constantly busy with the barbershop singing judging program. This year I participated in our tri-annual recertification at the end of July in St. Joseph, MO for our 150 judges from across the globe. I taught a portion of the class and was a student for the rest. The judges have just decided on tracking some new contest data that has major ramifications on the program that I wrote and maintain. So, I've been very busy this year with program enhancements and fixes.

All in all, it's been a busy year and as Theresa would say, "Life is good."

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every one of you.

Roger