I wish you a Merry Christmas, but there's a reason it isn't in a letter.

Merry Christmas to All!

There was actual talk of doing a Christmas letter and a return to making an effort to stay in touch by sending out cards; however, we came to our senses and realized we just aren't good at that.  I think my 2011 resolution is going to be to send letters and cards again.  I used to be amazing at it but I have gotten lazy in my middle-age.  More importantly, I came to the realization that people might get really bummed out by our Christmas letter!

It has not been the easiest of years.  2010 carried on a tradition of craptastic happenings for the last few years.  There have been some very heartbreaking and challenging moments the last few years for Sheryl and I but this year was somehow harder.  I imagine this years letter would have gone something like this:
  
"The year started out busy for us.  Then Christina started isolating herself from things. She was sick, as usual.  She almost died from an overdose.  10 days later she was in rehab.  The 28 day stay was good - good food, good company & emotionally draining.  Christina came home and we have had issues communicating.  Fights are more commonplace for us as we struggle to figure out communication and how it works when one half of the couple is finally present in the relationship.  Sheryl was promoted to Store Manager at Mall of America at Pearle Vision!"  Yeah.  See what I mean?

The good news for us is the communication issues are being worked out.  The good news for me is that I really have become more patient with most aspects of life.  I am also enjoying living outside of the walls of fear that have surrounded me most of my adult life.  I am going to take the bar - and pass it - in February.  Fear is no longer is holding me back!  Better watch out cuz I am feelin' AFU peeps!

So, with 6 months and 4 days of sobriety, I wish you a very blessed and joyous Christmas.

Here is the obligatory video to make you smile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4 (if you don't smile, you probably got coal in your stocking!)

And, our Caribou Christmastime quotable: "Kiss more under the mistletoe."  AMEN!