The True Meaning of Christmas

It has now been over 5 weeks since I broke my leg and had surgery. I have to admit, it has been a long and frustrating time, however, I have seen so much kindness, not only from my friends, but also from total strangers. People have gone out of their way to open doors, ask me if I needed anything, send cards, visit, bring food, etc. These things really make me feel good about holiday season. This seems to me to be what Christmas is all about. People caring about each other and showing it. It seems like a great way to honor the birth of Jesus.

This Christmas will be different for me. This will be the first Christmas that I will not spend with my family. My family, as most of you know, is very important to me. I have thought a lot about them. Instead of worrying about the shopping, I have spent my time thinking long and hard about the things that matter most to me... my faith, family, and friends. My family has seen some tough times, however, my sisters and I have very strong parents and they have taught us to be strong. Some of my friends have lost parents this past year and this will be their first Christmas without them. My friends will be strong, too, but it will be tough for them. Our faith will help all of us through the difficult times.

As I reflect over the past year I realize I have wasted a lot of time worrying about things that, in the grand scheme of things, really were not important...at all. My New Year's resolution for 2008 will be to focus on the things that truly matter. I wish everyone a very MERRY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS.

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens

Holiday Bash 2007

Location: Chateau Shinault (Team Sprout Int'l Headquarters)I have to say, I was initially excited about this Christmas party as we discussed it at Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger after the Flash Event. My excitement level waned after I broke my leg. I didn't think I would be able to make it. I mentally prepared for it for a week leading up to the big day. In addition to wanting to get out of the house for basically the first time in 3 weeks, I wanted to see all my GOWT and Delta Geo friends. Did I mention yet that Sprout and his wife throw one heck of a party? Food and fun for days! As 7:00 approached, I became very anxious and had very mixed feelings. Once I got to Sprout's house, the anxiety disappeared. The first person I saw was Steve and he had on a knee brace and used a cane to help him walk. Pcsenn & Wifey greeted me next. Wifey never left my side. She has to be an angel disguised as a cacher! Seriously, everyone was so nice in making sure I was comfortable and received plenty of food and drink. After much socializing, story telling, and food eating, the Dirty Santa event commenced. The gifts that everyone brought were so cool! We all especially liked the twist tinksdad threw in on his gift. His gift was the first one picked, so it worked out really well. GI Jane used her usual tactics that we are sure she "learned during her Army days," but unfortunately the gift was to good to pass up.

It was great seeing Steve and family. We even started discussing a super road trip to visit him. I finally got the opportunity to meet Itsmebigd and, of course, chatting with FamilyInFilm is always a pleasure. Bevofan has got to be the most giving cacher, as she gave her gift to another cacher that liked it.I can't wait for Hoot to hide his gift. Will it be wheelchair accessible? I doubt it! I know Paula was thrilled with her Dirty Santa gift! Bitbrain brought his now famous TB...thanks for not making me put that thing on my head!

Several other cachers, however, received the honor of getting to wear it. It was great getting to visit with Bruce, Tiger130, Gaylemae & Savvysteve! Who ended up with the

pink ammo can? BTW, thanks, cgeek, for the ride and protecting the leg.

The food was great and the company was even better. A big BRAVO goes out to Team Sprout on another fabulous party!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

3 Months

On November 11, 2007, I broke my leg while jumping over a gate. My right leg planted and twisted and I went down. I knew I had done something wrong to my leg, but I thought I tore my ligaments again. This is the same leg in which I tore my MCL and ACL over 10 years ago. Fortunately, four of my friends were there and they got me to the ER pretty quickly. Turns out, I broke my tibia and fibula and also crushed my tibial plateau. I will be non-weight bearing for 3 months. This will be and has been tough for me, as I am a very independent person. I am also extremely active and always on the go. I won't be for the next 3 months.

The positive in this situation is that, once again, I have the opportunity to be reminded that I have some very good friends and an awesome family. I have had a tough year and my family and friends have been there every step of the way to get me through each crisis. Even though I have had what I would consider some "bad luck," I'm indeed lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. Joe, "The Pup," always tells me that "friends are the family we choose." He is right. Thanks to all the positive people in my life and here is hoping that 3 months go by quickly!

Our God is the God of mercy. For He works in mysterious ways and His power is over all things. Amen.

Follow the Leaders

This will be a very short post, as it will only serve to inform readers of the direction my future blog posts. I have decided to follow the leads of both B@shful and Dalls and remove negative posts from my blog site.

Leadership consists not in degrees of technique but in traits of character; it requires moral rather than athletic or intellectual effort, and it imposes on both leader and follower alike the burdens of self-restraint.
- Lewis H. Lapham