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Morning — Clay here.
Merry Christmas. No intro, that’s it. 🎄
My Aunt, Christmas, and Phil Collins
Generally, when I sit down to write something for this newsletter, I try to have a point.
A message to sit with.
Maybe an idea you can act on that same day.
But that’s not what’s on my mind today.
Since it’s Christmas, I’ve been thinking about my aunt.
My aunt recently passed away. My mom says she saved my uncle’s life—that the demons he was facing at the time would have taken him out in short order. And the honest truth is, my uncle battled those demons his entire life and still does today. But my aunt made them manageable. She kept the rest of his life from falling apart while he fought them. She gave him a reason not to give up.
When I think of my aunt, I always think of Christmas.
Every Christmas Eve afternoon, we’d have a family gift exchange at my aunt and uncle’s house. My grandparents, my cousin, my parents, my sister—and eventually my much younger brother—were always there.
And there I’d be, parked in the back corner of the living room, sitting in a chair next to the CD rack (remember those?).
I thought my aunt was the coolest old person I knew.
I’m realizing in real time, as I write this, that she was probably 32 or 34—and not remotely old—but that’s a reflection for another day.
She had all the good music. Phil Collins solo albums. Genesis. Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales.
She even had one of those big front projection TVs—the kind that felt impossibly futuristic when I was a kid. I’d never seen one before, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen one since.
Does anybody else remember these things?
She also always bought the best gifts.
I don’t know how she did it, but she somehow knew what you wanted before you did.
They were just… exactly right.
The kind of presents that made you feel seen.
Anyway, that’s it.
No big takeaway.
No message to apply.
Just a few Christmas memories of a special person who helped keep part of our family together.
Godspeed and God bless, Aunt Mitzi.
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More Campfire Conversations Ahead
I recently recorded a Campfire Conversations episode with Bryan Ward of the Dad Up podcast, and I can’t wait to share it with you next month.
My plan for next year is to record about a dozen of these conversations with men whose experience and perspective I think you’ll genuinely appreciate—and the next interview is already scheduled.
Stay tuned.
Lee & Andrew Child on the Order of Man Podcast
A couple of weeks ago, I recommended the new Jack Reacher book, Exit Strategy. I’m a huge Reacher fan (I’ve literally read two Reacher short stories since then), but somehow I missed this February interview Ryan Michler did with Lee Child and Andrew Child on the Order of Man podcast.
It’s a great conversation about storytelling, legacy, and what goes into creating a character like Jack Reacher—and what it looks like to hand that legacy off to the next generation. If you’re a Reacher fan, this one’s well worth your time.
Until next time—
Keep the fires burning and Merry Christmas,
— Clay
P.S. I’d rather grow Campfire Gentleman through real connections than algorithms. If this resonated, forward it to one friend.
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