Riggins Family Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas from Linda, Mike, Laura and Dan Riggins

Linda and I snowshoed the other day. We climbed the hills in the old state hospital grounds across the road, up through cedar and beech forests to look over Traverse City. I thought of how my father delighted in the experience when I took him snowshoeing there a couple of years ago. I have thoughts like that a lot these days.

Brother Dennis and dad broadcasting on WFHB
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Dr. A. Patrick Riggins Jr., died of pancreatic cancer in March. Dad filled his seventy-seven years with friendships and service to humanity. He was a character. Many counted on him in time of need. He embraced music, the outdoors, and knowledge of all kinds. He disciplined his sons, yet tirelessly and deeply cared for them. His marriage to Dotti will long serve as a model for the hundreds of people who had the blessing of watching them grow ever closer. The day of his funeral the Bloomington, Indiana newspaper ran one editorial: a tribute to him. I am proud to be his son.


I have become prouder of my mom as well. She has borne her grief with honest dignity. She has also shown courage through the diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy for breast cancer that hit her weeks after Pat's death. 2010 has been the year from hell for the extended Riggins family, none more so than for her. As Christmas approaches she continues to meet medical challenges. Yet she has begun thinking of the future again. May God grant her the years to watch her grandchildren become adults, marry and have children of their own.

Dan apple picking on a nice fall Saturday he spent
showing Linda and Mike around the Kenyon area

Speaking of Pat and Dotti's grandchildren, Dan has reached his junior year at Kenyon College and his 21st birthday. He has changed his major to molecular biology. His class load focuses on biology, chemistry and other sciences. He loves Kenyon, the perfect fit for him. His track and cross country seasons went extremely well, producing a string of personal bests. His teammates voted him captain for his senior year. He seems firmly rooted with a large circle of friends. He worked last summer as an intern at Cook Incorporated, a medical devices and bio-chemical research firm in Bloomington. He learned from his time in the quality control lab that while he does not want that work for a career, he remains fascinated by the medical/biological/research world. At present, he plans to take a year off after graduation to earn some money and take the MCATs (medical graduate school examinations).

Dan in center, wearing purple singlet, competing at the NCAA Division III regional meet

Laura graduated this spring from the University of Michigan with a major in musicology. This marked the successful conclusion of a five-year odyssey of self-discovery. She has decided she feels called to teaching and/or church youth ministry. She worked last summer as an intern at the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church in suburban Indianapolis, a position re-offered her this fall. She enjoys her job. The staff there have affirmed her gifts and work ethic. She has found a home, living with the parents of her significant other, Sam Muse, while he finishes at Purdue. (Do you have any idea how long it took to decide how to label Sam in that last sentence?) For you Indiana University loyalists questioning how Linda and I could permit our daughter to get mixed up with a guy from Purdue we offer two observations: it's not like we have control over our adult children's personal lives, and I have always said that if you can't get into a college somewhere, Purdue is an excellent back-up plan.

Laura and Sam at her graduation from the University of Michigan

Linda and I slog ahead. Her cleaning business thrives; I continue at the church we helped plant thirteen years ago. Our congregation has struggled along with all of northern Michigan through the 20% unemployment and the collapse of the local housing market. But we have held our own. Our worship attendance numbers have risen slightly and by the grace of God our church finances have improved. Linda works hard to present a worship program for young children that finally seems to have gained momentum. I keep trying to learn new tricks to help grow the church, though I am fast becoming an old dog.

Linda at her favorite place, LaDaToCa, the family camp in Wisconsin

Laura, Linda and her father, Jerry, watching the sun set on Anna Maria Island, Florida

We accomplished a goal this fall with the completion of a half-marathon. Neither of us was pleased with our time, but that just gives us incentive to do better. Our church cycling group toured together through the summer and fall; we plan to morph into the church cross-country ski/snow shoeing group this winter. As the years pass we take more advantage of the outdoor lifestyle. Come visit us sometime. We would love to share God's blessings with you in the beautiful Traverse City area! Get in touch with us at mpriggins@gmail.com.

Our church cycling buddies preparing to ride from Elk Rapids to Torch Lake and back again.
Mike is the tall, goofy one in the middle; Linda is third from right.

May your celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ deepen your faith and your love for all creation!