Happy Holidays from the Hospital

Now, I admit that this year I'm in the holiday spirit a bit sooner than expected and for a very strange reason. You see, I have been confined to a hospital bed for almost a week now. Turns out that Acute Pancreatitis is a hard ailment to recover from. My hospital stay is what has me in the holiday spirit sooner than expected.

I told you it was strange. But I'll try to explain why.

To me, holidays are not about presents, food, or doing things. Sure I enjoy the occasional gift, home cooked meal, or trip to the movies but it's the chance to spend time with friends and family that make the holidays special for me.

Last winter we had the chance to spend a solid week with Keli's family, including Keli's brother from Portland. We even got snowed in which prevented us from doing much other than hanging out and just enjoying each others company. I can't tell you a single gift that I received last year but I can tell you that last year was the best Christmas I can remember. What made it so special was the time spent with family BEING family.

Well, this year I've visiting with relatives, my church family, coworkers, and many friends from the Omaha Bikes family almost every day.

It's been a huge blessing being able to sit and visit with so many of the people that I care so much about. God has blessed me in so many ways and I often forget just how many blessings he has poured into my life. The last week has been a great reminder of just how blessed I am.

So Happy Holidays from the Hospital: