Right up until the last moment I was wondering what I would use for my Editor's Notes in this issue. There wasn't any particular subject that I felt compelled to expound on. Finally some inspiration!
Roy & I received an unexpected invitation a few days ago. We have been invited by Axel and his family to join them for Christmas at their home in Germany. That's my kind of surprise! Their offer is most generous so we could hardly wait to accept. Both of us are taking time off work and will be in Germany from Dec. 11-29. It will mean missing my usual Christmas phone calls but I think it's worth it for an opportunity like this. We will be there long enough to do some exploring and get a good "feel" for "the old country". You can all be sure that I will be thinking of you while there. In particular I will be thinking of Dad and feeling very proud that I have an opportunity to learn about the country of our ancestry. I plan on taking lots of pictures and you can be sure I will be bringing them home the next time I'm there.
Auf Wiedersehen!
 You may notice that the "Relatively Speaking" column is growing in nearly every issue. I've been getting lots of correspondence from the relatives, mainly from those who have become subscribers. I really do appreciate that because I know that everyone is interested in knowing what the rest of the family is doing.
I have also added something that I received from Uncle Jack. He sends me little "care packages" of old photos and mementos on a regular basis. This article I am enclosing here is something that Grandma used to believe very strongly in. It espouses her beliefs in relation to mourning for those we care about. I think that many of us can relate to it. She was a wise woman, wasn't she? 
Birthdays
Oct.   4/79 Brandy
      17    Andi
Nov.   5    Evelyn
Dec.   2/80 Danielle
      13    Gerry
      26    Laurie Mohr
      31    Dad
Jan.   1    Maryann
      15    Carol


Anniversaries
Nov. 4/67 Jim & Maryann
Nov. 29/91 Dad & Evelyn
Dec. 4/76 Sharon & Wally
Dec. 31/94 Joy & Reg
Gone but not Forgotten
Nov. 2/90	Herman
January 6/95	Werner
January 13/91	Mom
Terry & Judy
They had a beautiful summer in the North this year. They didn't get to do as much camping as they'd like, due to Terry's work schedule. Their trip to Ontario was great fun for all of them. They were there over 2 weeks and did all the tourist stuff - CN Tower, Zoo, camping, a Blue Jays game, and best of all for Terry, they went to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Judy has been coping with all sorts of renovations where she works. Daniel is happy to report that he has a new puppy - a female pure bred black lab named Shelby.

Susan & Rob
Susan, Phillip & Alex drove to Newfoundland at the end of August for a family wedding. They had a good visit with everyone. Rob has started his new job and
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