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What a Wonderful Christmas!

With good news on the health-front and a lovely gathering of my family over the holiday, this year's Christmas has been the best in. . . 56 years.

In spite of some rather nasty weather leading up to the 25th, making shopping a bit difficult and uncomfortable, Christmas Day here in Texas was quite nice. Well, our family's Christmas Day, at any rate. Because my sister, Lorraine's, brood had international travel plans on the 26th, we decided to have our family get-together on the Sunday prior. And what a lovely day it was.

It wasn't without its challenges. Mini-challeges, I should say. I would swear on a stack of bibles that both my mom and sis confirmed that we were gathering at Lorraine's place in Henderson, about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Dallas. I marked it in my calendar. Checked it twice. I evidently didn't hear correctly because when I arrived at the appointed hour, no one was to be found. A quick phone call revealed my mistake and I backtracked an hour-and-a-half to Mom's house.

Four hours of driving, at this point in my recovery, is quite a lot, and I was a bit tired from the drive. A short rest to catch my breath and good meal had me back in gear and the rest of the day I was fine.

I got to play Santa because my young grand-nephew, Lance, 4, decided it was better to receive than to give because Santa had to wait for everyone else to open their gifts before opening his own. Watching that critical thought process wash across his face was priceless. When he took off the Santa cap and gave it to me, I just "ha-ha'd," to use my mom's phrase, and Lance was off to open the first of many gifts.

What a treat it was to play Santa this year, a privilege I take very seriously. And with much joy.

I hope your Christmas was as warm and loving as mine was and that you have many good memories (and goodies) from 2007.

God Bless you all. . . US all, I should say. I thank you again for your love and support during this difficult time in my life and know that yur prayers made the difference in ridding me of this cancer.

Have a Prosperous New Year filled with abundant blessings for you and your family.

With much love,

Larry Stevens