Welcome to The Rogotzke Family Christmas Letter, Version 2009. We're glad you found us!
Let’s start this letter with a story, a true story. Please bear with me if the story is rather long—it does have a point. (Really!)
It was Christmas Day, 2008, and weather forecasters were predicting a big snowstorm to arrive in the upper midwest later in the day. We had been planning to head to Milwaukee on December 26 to spend a few days celebrating Christmas with the Kallies side of the family, but we decided we would adjust those plans and head out on Christmas Day in order to stay (just) ahead of the storm. The roads were clear at that point and we were making good time, looking forward to an early evening arrival in Milwaukee, where we could gather with family around the fireplace (oops, no fireplace, but definitely family) all snug and warm while the storm howled around us. We were just about out of Minnesota when IT hit, or, rather, we hit IT. An innocuous-looking chunk of what Jim thought to be a hunk of slush that had fallen off someone’s car was in the road. Upon contact, we realized this was not a harmless chunk of slush, made very clear as we went from 70 mph to a screeching, thudding, shuddering halt, various items flying off the dashboard and windshield, causing heart rates to jump to extreme levels. We never did figure out what IT was, but we are quite certain it was large and made of solid metal or brick. Thank goodness for Jim’s calm and exceptional driving skills as he managed to maneuver us to the side of the road, where he got out and saw that yes, indeed, we had a very flat tire. OH, but wait, one turn of the head showed him that we had TWO very flat tires, with two bent rims to boot. We quickly realized what a predicament this was, as we unfortunately had only one spare, and would it do any good anyhow with a bent rim? And don’t forget, this was the afternoon of CHRISTMAS DAY, and our hopes for finding any repair businesses open were slim to none. Also keep in mind the storm that is right on our tail.
Surprisingly, we all remained calm, (although my memory might be a little fuzzy on those details) and I set about getting out the food that we had brought for a supper in the car. My job was to feed the kids, keep them calm and happy, while Jim’s job was to DO SOMETHING. He did manage to flag someone down who was willing to stop, but, sorry, unable to help. What happened next was pretty much a Christmas miracle, or, more accurately, a series of Christmas miracles. In a relatively short amount of time, the nicest state trooper in the U.S. came upon our dismal scene, but he could not offer us much hope either. The best he could do was to get us into town where he had called and discovered a hotel with vacancy. Knowing that the storm would soon hit and likely prevent any further travel for a couple of days, we were disappointed thinking that our Christmas in Wisconsin might not come to be, but thankful that at least we would be together as a family, even if it would be in a hotel, in a strange city, and we would just have to make the best of it.
Mr. Wonderful State Trooper called a tow truck, which happened to be driven by the nicest tow truck driver in the U.S. We came up with a plan that Jim and Isaiah would ride in the tow truck, and Luke, Anna and I would ride in the trooper’s car. (Ooh, kind of exciting, a ride in a police car!) The two vehicles (three, if you count our van on the tow truck) drove to the hotel, but upon arrival Jim informed me that Mr. Wonderful Tow Truck Driver had informed him during the ride that he knew someone with a small rental vehicle business, and offered to call the guy at home and see if he’d be willing to come over and rent us a vehicle. We figured it was worth a shot, but realized that it can be more difficult to find a vehicle that fits three car seats. But, you guessed it, this was the nicest rental car guy in the U.S. And he, in fact, had a minivan available that we could rent. Our dreams of a Wisconsin Christmas were returning! It took a little doing while the kids and I waited in the lobby of the hotel (with the nicest hotel clerk in ….well, she was pretty nice anyway, and didn’t give us too many dirty looks while the kids burned off some pent up energy,) but Jim got the rental van, transferred car seats and all of our belongings, (I’m sure he didn’t mutter a bit about my inability to pack light!) and picked us up. Our own van was left at the local Toyota dealer for repair and we headed back to the interstate to continue on our journey. Unfortunately, the time that had passed allowed the snowstorm to catch up with us, and the rest of the trip was not quite smooth sailing, although we did arrive safely in Milwaukee. I think by then it was December 26, and we immediately went to bed. After a lovely few days in Milwaukee, we had an uneventful trip back home, stopping on the way to get our own vehicle once again. All in all a good trip, although a bit more costly than we had planned!
OK, fun story, right? But why, you ask, am I beginning our Christmas letter this way? Because it has many parallels to what we have experienced in 2009. We started out the year coasting happily on a smooth highway. At the end of January, we spent a fabulous family weekend at a waterpark and were generally just enjoying life. The kids were doing great, happy and healthy. February was pretty uneventful, still coasting along. Then, March came and so did IT, our major bump. First thinking that it was nothing worrisome, when we actually hit the BUMP we felt broken, stranded and hopeless. But just as on last Christmas Day, God has never left our side, never left us alone or helpless. He has put just the right people into our lives to help us, and he has provided us with all the resources we have needed. Even though we would not have chosen to have to deal with this, just as we wouldn’t have chosen two flat tires on Christmas Day, we have been tremendously blessed each and every step of the way.
It was in March that Anna was not feeling well, but at first seemed to be suffering from just a normal childhood bug. When her fevers continued on and off and complaints of stomach pain were more regular, we sought medical help. In just over 24 hours we and the doctors went from believing she had a bad case of constipation, to thinking it was a urinary tract infection, to wondering if she could have a ruptured appendix, to discovering on March 21 that her little body had been horribly invaded by tumors. On April 2, the shocking diagnosis of Stage IV Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma was made. (Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare, very aggressive childhood cancer of soft tissue with a high rate of recurrence.) The day after diagnosis marked the beginning of an aggressive 54 week treatment plan. This BUMP felt more like an earthquake and we continue in many ways to deal with the devastation. One thing is for certain, our lives will never be the same. Thankfully we can say that our lives are not worse, because in spite of the challenges we have faced since March and continue to have to deal with, God's blessings have poured down on us, primarily in the way of friends, family and even strangers who have showered us with support and gone far out of their way to help us out. We have a much deeper awareness and appreciation for what we have been given in life, and have a different view of what is most important. We clearly see how God is with us in the midst of good times and difficult times, and his promises not to leave or forsake us are and will be our strength. No, we would not have chosen this route if the choice had been ours, but we would not want to sacrifice the lessons we have learned and the blessings we have experienced either.
Looking back over the past year, Anna’s cancer and treatment have been the main focus for our family. Details of what this has been like are on CaringBridge and many of you have followed our story there.
But we don’t want to be defined by cancer, and cancer is absolutely not what defines Anna.
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Anna is a beautiful, just-turned-three-year-old child of God who loves to sing and dance, play games, do puzzles, and just be silly. She idolizes her big brothers. She can’t wait to go to school and wishes she could hurry the time along until that is possible. She adores Cinderella and the other Disney princesses. Anna is Daddy’s little princess and has him wrapped around her finger. She is a shining example of joy in the middle of difficult situations, and her giggles are music to our ears. Her strength and resilience are amazing, and we will forever be able to learn from her! 
Luke turned six in July. He was sad to leave Kindergarten behind and nervous about starting first grade, but he has loved every day of it and he is doing great! He played t-ball and took swimming lessons during the summer, and played soccer for a while in the fall. He is a collector of anything and everything, and has a hard time choosing which of his many collections he should focus on (and strew throughout the house) each day. 
Isaiah turned four in July. He also played t-ball over the summer, and did very well considering he was just about the youngest one on the team. He attends preschool all day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and absolutely loves it. Somehow during this past year he has pretty much taught himself to read, and he is eager to learn everything Luke is learning. He continues to switch from his very serious side to his suddenly very goofy side, which keeps everyone smiling. Since March, Jim has taken on many of the household duties along with his other jobs. (And he does them very well!) A very rainy October made this year’s harvest difficult and long, but it got done eventually! Becky spends much time with Anna at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis (just shy of 100 days spent in the hospital as of Dec. 15) or taking her to appointments in between hospital stays. New roles for all of us, but for the most part we have adapted and are making the most of it. We are always wishing for more time all together as a family, but that just means we treasure our togetherness all the more.
We had a fabulous time as a family the week after Thanksgiving which we spent in Orlando, Florida. Anna had wished to go on an airplane and meet Cinderella, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation made her dream come true! It was a much needed “escape” for all of us, and an experience beyond words. Warm days spent at Disneyworld, Universal, SeaWorld, and the beach did much to rejuvenate and refresh.
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Christmas 2009 is just about here. We don’t know if any extra excitement is planned for us that day, and we don’t know what bumps or ups and downs are waiting for us in the New Year. What we do know, what we cling to, is that since Jesus came to earth all those Christmases ago, since he came to save us from sin and all of its consequences, since he came to live and die and give us the assurance that life on earth is fleeting and temporary and perfect glory in heaven awaits us, we will make it through whatever life has in store. We know without a doubt that even on the down and dark days, we will never have to look very hard to find an abundance of incredible blessings to count. God is on our side and he will not forsake us! This is our Christmas joy, and it is also our everyday joy. We pray that it is your joy as well!
Christmas blessings to you, with love from the Rogotzkes
Jim, Becky, Luke, Isaiah, and Anna
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
