Please give a warm welcome to my daughter, Sierra, as the guest columnist for this week’s Ramblings.

After having to hear me complain about how women’s voices have been silenced for so long, my father gave me the yearly task of writing our family Christmas letter. Be careful what you say and who you say it to. I enjoy writing, and it is something that I have put off for far too long, sort of like this Christmas/St Patrick’s Day letter.

As you may know, I live in New York, and as you may know, there is a bit of distance between Brooklyn and Rapid City. Thankfully, I am able to keep in contact with my family and see what they are up to via social media. Which does the job, but it’s not the same as being all together in person.

Whenever I come home it feels like a new place, but at the same time, it’s still the home that I knew before I moved out, and that’s because of my family.

My dad always sits in the same place on the couch every day with a cup of coffee or a Manhattan (depending on the time of day) to indulge in whatever non-fiction book he has picked up. I always loved that he almost exclusively reads non-fiction because it shows how much he truly enjoys learning and seeing the different points of view from every walk of life. No matter who they are.

I believe this is what makes him such a valuable and well-rounded professor. He loves teaching as much as he loves learning. He taught me to look for the good in everyone, no matter how much I disagree with them. As some of you may know, I am still learning that, but he has 23 years on me, so give me time.

My mom is straight up one of the hardest workers I know. When she isn’t helping people get better through physical therapy, she is at home baking, cooking, taking care of her beautiful yard, or driving around in her Jeep.

She is a woman who is so naturally beautiful and knows how to take care of things and just does it. She is so independent, but cares deeply for those who are around her, you can see it in her eyes and how she talks to people. She truly cares. Her laugh is so loud that you can literally hear it throughout our entire home. It’s so genuine, you simply can’t be mad about it when it wakes you up after a night of drinking too much.

Jackson, my little brother, has become such a caring young man that it sometimes surprises me when he is so sweet to me. He isn’t (as) annoying anymore and is instead chill and fun to hang out with. He really is someone that I have enjoyed seeing grow up.

He is so kind, great with people, and lets me talk at him for hours when we see each other. I’d like to think he finds me entertaining even though he says the reason he doesn’t want to date is because girls always want to talk too much. I fear I have ruined dating for him.

Ok, I hope I did alright? I love my family, and I am proud to be a member of the Ellis clan. 2025 will be interesting, because every year is, and I wish you all the best. Each year is a year to discover new things about yourself, and more importantly, the people who are meant to be in your life.

For me, I must admit that I attempted and failed to put space between me and my family because it’s hard to be away from them. They’ve always supported me no matter what, and they are proud of me no matter what. So I guess now is the time that I tell everyone that I am moving to France to pursue a career as a professional mime.

Wishing you and all you love a wonderful year.