Christmastime

It’s here! It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and it’s here.

I love Christmas. Everything about it.

So many good memories from being a kid at Christmastime. Now, my wife and I get to share those with our kids, and each other.

Last night, I had to stop and take a picture of the tree. There’s just something about the glow of those lights that brings so much nostalgia…in a good way. I could sit next to that thing all day long and be happy. Some Christmas music playing through the speakers – even better.

I’m glad our cross is right there on the wall, next to the tree. It’s a great reminder of what this season is all about.

Enjoy it, friends. Christmastime is a season like none other. All the best to you and yours this Christmas season.

Positive Press

Doubling up again this time after missing last week. Have a great day everyone!

http://goo.gl/1f7I3n
An open letter to Steph, who sent a sky lantern to her father, which landed in my driveway

http://goo.gl/pFl2c2
Portland Couple Uses Their Super Car Collection For Good

http://goo.gl/5CJ85n
Boynton Beach Police Department Delivers Christmas Tree

http://goo.gl/cmhDum
Saying goodbye to Aaron Purmort

http://goo.gl/FhP90n
This is Target! Black Friday Pep Talk

http://goo.gl/Tvkh5Q
Jacksonville mom thankful for random act of kindness

Remembering Dax – Two Years Later

I am really looking forward to taking my kids to see this in a couple of weeks: http://wcicfm.org/dax-locke-movie-preview

It’s a movie based on the true and incredible story of Dax Locke and his family. The special screening of the movie will be shown at the Rave Cinema in Peoria later this month but those of you who have access to the gmc (formerly known as Gospel Music Channel) will be able to watch it wherever you are on Sunday, December 4th.

From the WCIC website description:

All proceeds from the event will benefit the “Cherish Every Moment Dax Locke Foundation” in its mission to raise $1.7 million to fund the operation of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis for one day.

If you aren’t familiar with Dax’s story, here is the blog post I wrote last November:

https://positivelysecond.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/decorating-for-dax/

Neither I nor my kids knew Dax personally but his name has come up more times in conversation than I can count.

Two years ago, when Dax was in his final days, we decorated our tree early as a sign of support. His parents said he loved seeing Christmas lights and he wasn’t expected to make it to Christmas Day that year.

We put up the tree early once again last year and this year our tree has been decorated and lit up before Thanksgiving for the third straight time. I hope we’ll keep doing it this way every year.

Decorating the tree is one of my favorite activities. I always loved spending that day with my family growing up and making the tree look special. Lots of great memories from those days when we were all together in our living room.

Carson and Logan love putting up our tree and decorating it too. It’s just a little tree and truth be told, I never intended for it to be ‘our tree’ forever but after we decorated it for Dax a couple of years ago, I think it’s here to stay.

So, we enjoyed putting up the ornaments together this past weekend. We had the Christmas carols playing on the stereo and strung up some lights on the front window as well. It was a great afternoon.

We stopped to pray before getting started and as we remembered Dax in our prayers, my little Logan started crying.

Dax, your story is still impacting people today. As I told Logan, I believe that you’re happy and healthy up there in Heaven and getting ready to enjoy your beloved Christmas with lots of lights and lots of smiles.

God, thank you for allowing this little boy’s story to be seen and heard by so many people and for the continued positive impact it is having both near and far…and to the Locke family, thank you once again for reminding me and all of us about the importance of cherishing every moment.