Christmas has got to be one of the only times in the year when it can either be the happiest of times or the hardest times for a family. God has so blessed our family to allow us to be inside the happiest of times circle. I hope everyone does their part to spread a little Christmas cheer to someone who may not have as much or anything at all.

As a kid growing up, Christmas has some of the best memories for me. When I think of childhood, its up there in the top three of good times.

I remember about a hand full of specific Christmas years as a child growing up in Ireland. I remember my 1st toy car set, that my grandfather helped me setup in the living room. (It did loops by the way)

I remember my 1st bike, it was orange and came with a helmet that had a green pull down sun-visor (not that the sun came out in Ireland very much).

I remember the morning I got Star Wars toys, the whole set. I was not even sure what Star Wars was, but I just knew they looked pretty freakin cool.

I remember one Christmas morning seeing a foot print by the fireplace (black soot) meaning only one thing! Santa did in fact come down the chimney, and left the same way.

I remember a few nights before every Christmas, Jenn and I would write our Chrismas list and address it, seal it, and then throw it in the fireplace for it to go to the north pole (how awesome is that?) the flame would always turn a weird greenish blue meaning the magic was at work and the letter was off to the right place (or it could have been the marker dye we used to write the letter) I like to believe it was the magic.

Last night we took the boys to “A Walk Through Bethlahem” as a grown up a lot of the magic gets lost in our vision of the reality around us. I know those boys saw something different. I know they saw the magic of Christmas, and one day they will look back and remember it, just like I remember the blue glow my letter made as it burst into flames and flew up the chimney to Santa.

I want to wish everyone a Merry CHRISTmas, (not that Happy Holidays crap) because it is not about the holidays or the gifts and material things that come wrapped in paper. It is about love, sacrifice and being there for each other when we need each other the most. We are a tight group, and to know and feel that from a family is one of the greatest gifts anyone could ever ask for.

Love,
Greg, Jackie, Scooter and Scruffy (aka Rick, the secret is out