Monthly Archives: February 2026

Yes, even Christmas – my favorite season – must come to an end.

What you are looking at in this picture is the box that contains the 900 LEDs that have proudly stood attached to my 20’ flag pole these past number of weeks.

As the lights are in the box, that means they are no longer lighting up my neighborhood. This was the very last thing to come down signifying that today is the feast of the Purification and the traditional end of the Christmas season.

My neighbors, who have long since taken their lights down, probably think I am insane. They may be correct; but I will honor the Christmas season for every minute of its worth. 

For the handful of you who read these pages… If you read yesterday, you know. I spoke to my sister this morning. I thanked her. Gratitude. I woke up this morning in my own bed. I was alive and in one piece. Yes, there are titanium screws in my spine but so what? My dog was curled up at my side. My beautiful wife was asleep next to me. My children slumbered in their beds. I have a home, a life, a family. And I shed a tear of thanksgiving. She saved my life that night. Because of her I am here. And the life I live is because she did what she did.

You never know what God has in store for you – whether it be to do something great or to do something heroic so that someone somewhere generations removed can do something great.

I didn’t get to her grave this year. Next year is 45 years. I will plan on that.

This is… a tough week for us.

Mother of Good Counsel, pray for us!