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10 December 2022
Tags: Holiday
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Holiday Card 2022: An Offer You Can’t Refuse

“Great men are not born great, they grow great…” ~ Mario Puzo, ‘The Godfather’

First and foremost, a thank you to Jaxon Layne Ilagan, and his parents Paul and Landrie, for making this year’s holiday card possible. On July 22, 2022, I became a Godfather to this beautiful baby, and he’s been a happy addition to all of our lives ever since. The bond between godfather and godson feels tenuously loose in today’s world, but back in my youth a Godfather played a major part in setting an example (and producing a magnificent gift for every birthday). I aim to bring back that bond, while continuing the fun that I’ve enjoyed with my niece and nephew. 

This card could not have been created any year prior to this. Sure, I could have grayed in my hair and struck the pose at any point, but it would have rung hollow before actually becoming a Godfather, so we have little Jaxon Layne to thank for that – the first of many thanks for enriching my life. It joins the pantheon of holiday cards that have played out over the past few decades, going all the way back to 1995. Here’s one look at some earlier holiday cards, which were far racier than a little mobster action.

And here’s another look at some previous cards, including the most controversial one I’ve ever sent out (which also happens to be my favorite of all time because I’m sick like that). Absolutely no regrets, even in this mirror-of-society card from 2018 that no one much liked or this slightly more comical one of kitchen antics in 2019. For 2020, and that tumultuous time period, I went for a warmer and more reassuring card featuring Mom and Dad, while 2021 evoked a peaceful holiday slumber.

“I don’t trust society to protect us, I have no intention of placing my fate in the hands of men whose only qualification is that they managed to con a block of people to vote for them.” ~ Mario Puzo, ‘The Godfather’

This year is another family affair, even if ‘family’ here has a slightly different meaning, and the traditional notion is implied rather than explicitly featured. I like a card that works on multiple levels, and this one is heavy on multilayered meanings. 

“He claimed that there was no greater natural advantage in life than having an enemy overestimate your faults, unless it was to have a friend underestimate your virtues.” ~ Mario Puzo, ‘The Godfather’

A semi-full list of previous cards:

 

“It was not perhaps the warmest friendship in the world, they would not send each other Christmas gift greetings, but they would not murder each other.” ~ Mario Puzo, ‘The Godfather’

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