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December 2023
JOYFUL RITUALS
A Heartfelt Journey Through the Christmas Season
Tradition is my favorite part of Christmas. I don’t get excited about gifts, but I love the ritual of decorating my home with special candles, greenery, and ceramics. I especially look forward to setting up the tree because I get to enjoy (all over again) well- worn and beloved ornaments, like the needlepoint ornaments my grandmother made for me. Organizing and displaying the cheer is not about the objects themselves; it is a tactile way to remember all the holidays past and my gratitude for them. Since marrying Fred, our holidays now include time with his son Toby’s family. It’s refreshing to see the Christmas season through the eyes of the grandchildren, all of whom are under 10. While it is lovely to spend time with our entire family, the shrieks of joy from the littles are pretty darn special. They’re so open to the wonder of the season and energetic, and I love having them in the house. In the spirit of ritual, a few things must happen every holiday season for me to feel like it’s really Christmas. First, we must watch the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story.” That movie always fills me with pure joy because it brings back my childhood so palpably. The silly fights, bullies who are not so tough, and curious neighbors are all parts of my experience growing up. Meanwhile, Ralphie learning to cuss from his father always makes me think of my dad, who had the same habit. Ahem. While the film is hilarious, I also appreciate the message. In the end, the family does not have the kind of holiday they’d WORKSHOP Have you (or your clients) “been meaning” to get a plan in place? It’s easy to get started with our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop . This free workshop explains the key planning concepts, documents, and the factors in selecting a plan that is right for you. Plus, workshop participants receive a complimentary consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available on demand or in person, so stop thinking about a plan and create one. Register online at PromiseLaw.com/Estate-Planning-Workshop or call (757) 690-2470.
hoped for, but they still manage to come together. It’s a meaningful reminder for us all not to get caught up in the idea of having a “perfect” holiday. It’s also not Christmas without my sugar-spiced pecans — at least in my family’s eyes. The candy-coated nuts are infinitely snackable and addictive, the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. (I’ve included the recipe on Page 3.) Be careful about sharing them at holiday parties. You may never be asked to bring anything else again! Finally, I appreciate the solemnity and ceremony of a Christmas Eve service. My church always brings in extra musicians, so the sound of all my favorite hymns is particularly full. It’s moving to hear “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” with brass and string accompaniment. December can be a bit bleak as the days shorten and the darkness expands. Attending the Christmas Eve service gives me time for peacefulness and reflection. The light of the season reminds me of the hope and possibility ahead. That’s much the same way I feel in this season of Promise Law’s history. It has been a long year with a lot of change at the firm in 2023. The plates were spinning mighty fast as I adapted to the reality of working as a solo practitioner and all the responsibility it entails. I hope to use this Christmas season as a restorative opportunity and time to anticipate the new year. I look forward to embarking upon 2024. We now have new team members (Chantel and Michael) who have been here for several months and are happily helping share the load. And I am so pleased to report that Michael passed the bar, so I have another attorney’s support. Everyone at Promise Law is excited to continue to be of service to our clients and each
other. I like to look at the new year as a fresh start, and I can’t wait to see what develops. I hope you also have a restful, reflective holiday season and wish you all the best in the coming new year.
–Geneva Perry
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The Battle Over Student Loan Forgiveness What Happens Now?
The costs of higher education have grown substantially over the past few decades. According to a report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, the average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board for an undergraduate degree has increased 169% between 1980 and 2020. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that tuition has risen by another 5% in the past three years alone. While the cost of a college education has continued to go up, the average wage earned by recent college graduates has not kept pace, with only a 19% increase between 1980 and 2020. Most students and their families cannot afford college tuition on their paycheck alone, which has led them to take out exorbitant student loans. When the pandemic started, many Americans grew fearful of their financial future. Many were losing their jobs or getting furloughed, so they worried they couldn’t afford housing, food, or basic necessities, let alone their monthly student loan payments. In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which paused all federal student loan repayment programs. Individuals could still make payments on their loans, but they didn’t have to worry about interest or past-due notices. To help young Americans reclaim their financial freedom, President Joe Biden announced in August 2022 a $400 billion plan to eliminate or reduce federal student loan debt for millions of Americans. Not everyone in Congress agreed with Biden’s proposal, which led to the Supreme Court deciding the issue. The Supreme Court voted against the proposed plan 6-3. They claimed Biden was trying to use a bipartisan law from 2003 that deals with national emergencies to gain the power he needed to push his plan into action. “Six states sued, arguing that the HEROES Act [Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act] does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court. So, where do we go from here? The student loan forgiveness plan is out the window. Interest on student
loan repayments started back up in September, with actual payments resuming in October. President Biden has not backed down on helping college graduates with their student loan payments. A few months ago, the Education Department unveiled its newest income-driven repayment plan called Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE). While SAVE doesn’t outright cancel any federal student loans, it will make repayment much more affordable for millions of Americans. A couple of fantastic benefits come with SAVE. First, borrowers earning less than $32,800 individually or $67,500 for a family of four will see $0 monthly bills. Other borrowers will pay less each month, with many experts estimating that payments will be cut in half. Students who took or plan to take less than $12,000 in loans will be eligible for forgiveness after 10 years instead of 25. And possibly the best benefit is that interest will no longer build up as long as you make your monthly payments. While it’s not total forgiveness, this plan does help recent college graduates get off the ground. One of the biggest concerns regarding student loan forgiveness was that it would apply only to people with loans. SAVE will help all former, current, and future higher education students. If you have children or grandchildren preparing to start college in the next few years, share this great news with them, as it will help make college more affordable for all.
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TAKE A BREAK
Chimney Christmas
Gifts Igloo
Mistletoe Ornament Parka Reindeer Sleigh Snowman Wreath Yuletide
Dreams are mysterious journeys into our subconscious. They can be filled with strange places, familiar faces, or bizarre scenarios. While the content of your dreams may seem random, research suggests the position you sleep in can influence their nature and intensity. The Impact of Sleep Position on Dreams The way you sleep can affect how often you enter the rapid eye movement (REM) stage and, consequently, the types of dreams you experience. While researchers can’t conclusively identify the relationship between sleeping positions and dreams, they have reached some research-based theories. Supine (On Your Back) Sleeping on your back allows for more unobstructed breathing and less fragmented sleep and may increase the likelihood of vivid and intense dreams because you’re more likely to reach REM sleep. Prone (On Your Stomach) Sleeping face down is associated with more restless sleep, less REM, and potentially fewer dreams, meaning your dreams will be less vivid and memorable. Lateral (On Your Side) Sleeping on your side, particularly in the fetal position, commonly leads to emotional dreams, possibly due to the sense of vulnerability or comfort this position provides. While sleep position can influence the frequency and nature of your dreams, it’s only one piece of the dream puzzle! Dreams remain a complex aspect of human consciousness, but it’s pretty neat to know that how you sleep may play a part! A Dreamer’s Guide: The Link Between Sleep Positions and Dreams
Geneva’s Sugar- Spiced Pecans
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup sugar • 2 3/4 tsp cinnamon • 2 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice • 3/4 tsp salt • 1 tbsp butter • 1 large egg white
• 1 tsp water • 1 lb raw pecan halves • 1/4–3/4 tsp cayenne
pepper (start with 1/4, then gradually increase to taste)
Directions 1. Preheat oven to 250 F. 2. Butter a large baking sheet with a rim.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, salt, and spices. 4. Whisk together egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy. Add in the nuts and stir until covered completely. Gradually pour the sugar mixture over the nuts, then stir again until well-coated. 5. Spread the nuts evenly on the baking sheet and bake in the middle rack of the oven until dry, about 50 minutes. Once dry, remove from the oven, cool, and break up the pecans into bite-size chunks.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1
The Magic of Christmas Rituals
New Hope for Student Loan Borrowers
2
Geneva’s Sugar-Spiced Pecans
3
Sleep Position Secrets
The Unbelievable Story of WWI’s Christmas Truce
4
A BRIEF PAUSE IN THE TRENCHES The Heartwarming Tale of the Christmas Truce in WWI
Christmas is a time for kindness, yet for those in the trenches during World War I, no one expected mercy. It was Christmas Eve 1914 when British soldiers huddled in the mud-filled trenches, trying their best to ignore the harsh winter winds. Well, that was when peace broke out all along the Western Front. It became known to the world as the Christmas Truce after countless men wrote about their experiences amid the ceasefire. Records reveal the Germans called over to the British at around 10 p.m. to share some wine. At first, the British soldiers were skeptical, yet as they met halfway along the battlefield, amiable chatter and merriment began.
All along the trenches on various battlefields, French, German, Belgian, and British soldiers followed the
Christmas Truce. Men who were shooting at one another the day before began to share cigarettes, sip wine, and joke around. One account even recalled a soccer match between the British and German soldiers. A German lieutenant named Kurt Zehmisch wrote of the match in his diary. He wrote, “Eventually, the English brought a soccer ball from their trenches, and pretty soon a lively game ensued.” Zehmisch added, “How marvelously wonderful, yet how strange it was. The English officers felt the same way about it. Thus, Christmas, the celebration of Love, managed to bring mortal enemies together as friends for a time.”
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