It' s 6:45 AM Friday; a day before Christmas Eve. I'm sitting in my chair in Newport Maine, watching the snow fall gently outside. As I sip my coffee, I reflect on the past year, and everything that has occurred in my life. Especially within the last six months; selling our home and moving to Maine. Far from the familiarity, and friendships we made in the Poconos. Living in a temporary home as we await the completion of our house in Oakland.

As I sat on the "pity potty one day this week, you know what I'm talking about. The pity potty! Those times when you sulk because things are just not going your way? Those moments when things, no matter how trivial, cause you that momentary sigh of boo hoo, poor me? I sat there whining and posted on FB that it didn't feel like Christmas because we had no decorations up and that we weren't in our new home yet. I read the post the next day and said," what? Are you kidding me? All the bad things going on in the world, and you whine about such trivial things?

In retrospect, after smacking myself repeatedly in the head, I realized how blessed and fortunate I have been through out all of this transition to have Bev at my side. We've become closer than we've ever been as a result. THAT can not be replaced by any ornament. Our children are happy and healthy, as is our family. We've made some wonderful friends here in Maine; better than tinsel or a tree! And to top it off, our builder called to tell us we can move in anytime.

Well, lesson learned. Sometimes you need a bit of humility to keep you focused on what is truly important in life.

Yes, Virginia…There is a Santa Clause, and yes, Tim There is a God, who has given you so many blessings this Christmas.

Merry Christmas to all of you.