DCFL2005
Originally uploaded by Mike Fields
DCFL – (acronym) Dreaded Christmas Form Letter
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Louis H. Sullivan once wrote “Form ever follows function.” The guy was mentor to Frank Llyod Wright and gets credit for creating the modern skyscraper. Maybe he was onto something. (Stay with me, I promise this is going somewhere.)

So, what functions were we following this year? Sticking with the architecture theme, let’s just start with the foundation. Chrystine and I have both been teaching Sunday school classes at church. Chrystine is working with the 2nd and 3rd graders (Bren’s class, not coincidentally) and I’m working with the high school group. Chrystine is really good with the kids. That’s really no surprise, since she’s knows so much about kids from being a mom and a nurse… and married to me for 11 years (12/17). I think that helps me with the high school group too though; I haven’t figured out I’m old yet. That means I can still talk to them about anything from Moses to Napoleon Dynamite. Every now and then I do see their eyes start to glaze over when I go off on one of my geek tangents and forget what my point was, but I’m working on that. One of the ways I’m working on that is: I’ve gone back to school. I want to be a better teacher (and husband, father, son, brother, friend, …) so every Tuesday night I drive to the other side of Atlanta to go to Bible college. I have to write lots of papers, but I don’t mind since I’ve always been interested in writing anyway. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll get something published (and I don’t mean my picture on the wall at the post office). I do have something I’m writing now (besides the DCFL). I’m busy trying to construct the PERFECT toast for my brother’s wedding! That’s right, Dave and Alisa are getting married. They met on New Year’s Eve, he proposed on New Year’s Eve, so I guess it makes sense for them to get married on New Year’s Eve. Shortly after Christmas this year, we’ll be heading down to Jekyll Island so I can play “best man” to the better man and welcome Dave to the joys of holy matrimony and building a life with someone.

Chrystine has a new function, kinda. A few months ago she got promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager at Egleston. She’s working more hours now (which means I have to pretend to be more mature and responsible), but she’s really enjoying herself and just bubbling with confidence. Her new responsibilities really just build on what she’s been doing for years. Her promotion a kind of validation for her. It says she’s a good nurse and is valued for her skills. And, It’s validation in other ways as well. Chrystine had applied for this same position 5.5 years ago, right before Bren was first diagnosed. She ended up cutting back her hours to make sure Bren got the developmental foundation and support he needed. The fact that she can increase her hours again is a testament to how good a job she has done with Bren and how far he has come in 5.5 years.

Speaking of Bren, this year we’ve seen him building success on top of success. It’s been great seeing him having fun in second grade after the nightmares of last year (we love his team at school this year). Outside of school, there have been many developments as well. This year Bren has been to Sea World, Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Atlanta Zoo, the Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, Fernbank Science Center, Fernbank Natural History Museum, the Center for Puppetry Arts, Callaway Gardens, three different IMAX theaters, and the Tennessee Aquarium (we haven’t been to the Georgia Aquarium yet, but we hope to get in there before the end of January). I probably left some things out, but you get the idea. He’s also been taking swimming lessons, horseback riding, and we’re looking into possibly doing some gymnastics. We did a couple rounds of a really intense listening therapy called Tomatis which is weird sounding filtered music that stimulates a certain part of the brain, but we’re taking a break from vision therapy. Sounds like he’s about ready for the Trials, I know, but after what happened to that Skywalker kid, the Council has decided that we need to invest at least as much into developing a padawan’s emotions as we do developing their skills with the Force or a lightsaber (I’m DEFINITELY not ready to let Bren near a lightsaber).

So, we’ve had lots of functions this year. Has form followed? Well, Frank Lloyd Wright said: “Form follows function – that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.” Once again, the padawan teaches the master. The moronal* is form isn’t automatic. Whether you are building, teaching, trying defeat a Sith Lord, or just making it through the day; if you don’t start with a solid foundation and sound structure, good intentions just aren’t enough (ex. that Skywalker kid). We still have a long way to go, but Bren has already come so far (as have Chrystine and I). Our faith and love make a strong foundation. And recognizing where we are and where we want to be have helped us identify the work necessary to get us on our way. It’s the spiritual union between form and function that gives meaning to whatever you’re building. Now, break time is over! Get building!

Merry ChristmaKwanzukkah*!
Chrystine, Mike, and Brendon

PS. I didn’t kill our beagle Holly this year. For some reason Bren likes her. So as a favor to him, I let her breathe, for now.
PPS. Speaking of Jedi, if I find who wrote “Onli-Wan Cannoli” on my statue in the Archives, I’ll show THEM “Dark Side!”

* Moronal – (n.) Wisdom from the clueless [informal blend of moron and moral]
* ChristmaKwanzukkah – (n.) Holiday season [informal blend of Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah]; “Festivus Plus”