Yesterday, we stuffed ourselves with turkey and we watched football and we stuffed ourselves before finally going home. Today, we put up the tree and decorated it. My wife said it was hard to feel like putting up all the decorations because it tends to be bitter-sweet with the grief of losing two children in our home group this year. I had to agree with her. It's so painful to realize that a family you care about will have an empty place at the table, an empty stocking on Christmas morning, and fewer presents under the tree, if they have one at all.

Yet, I can't help but feel a warmth in my heart as my 2 year-old's eyes brighten while she watches the train go around the circle of track beneath our tree. I can't help but see the Christmas season new and fresh through her eyes. It is a flood of emotion when I think of all we have gained and lost in a year. I love my family so very much and I truly understand how valuable each and every one of them is to me. I thank my Father from the depths of my heart for allowing me to love them and feel their love in return. I may face financial ruin because I have no job. I may be unable to do many things because of my medical condition. But I can love them and they can love me and if I have these two things, the rest is all right with me.

I will take a short break, I think, from blogging while I put together the Christmas letter. Hang in there with me, hm?

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