December 25, 2009 10:25 PM

Christmas Day!

A great day as we spent the morning with one of my daughters and her family and then we went to my sister-in-law's house to be with the extended family. As I look upon it, obviously the gift of the birth of the baby Jesus is the greatest gift ever. But to think how many, many gifts that that gift has spawned is just too staggering to comprehend.

As much as we all tend to balk at Christmas shopping(I don't put myself in that class since I really don't do any!), I think that one of the most precious is that it provides an opportunity for the family members to think of each other, how much they mean to each other, and how vitally important it is to come together and share those thoughts of love.

On Christmas Day, you can see that in action as gifts are being freely passed around the room. What a wonderful sight and, more importantly, what a wonderful feeling it is to be a part of it.

As much as Thanksgiving is an introverted time when we personally thank God for all that we have received, Christmas is the overt expression of those thoughts. It seems so fitting that the two holidays are positioned the way that they are and how each supports the other so well.

As for me, I still feel great and I should append my message of a few days ago by saying that the doctor ideally looks for a little graft vs host disease as it provides a further indication that the transplant is doing its job. No reaction is fine, but some is better.

I have no complaints(not that it would do any good), my walk has been a fantastic one and one that each and every one of you has provided for me with your thoughts and prayers. This has been the greatest gift that I have ever received.

I thank you again, so much...

Bob