How I captured the Christmas Spirit

[Da Klugs]

This holiday season has brought some challenges. My life lately has been pretty darn good up until the past week. Business is rocking; kids are doing well and have normal and decent boyfriends. The whole cigar obsession thing has brought joy and new friendships. Just as I get comfortable cruising along in middle aged guy bliss…. My wife of 23 years was diagnosed with breast cancer last Wednesday. There had been suspicions on Monday and confirmed on Wednesday. Needless to say this brought a major damper on our holidays. Last Friday’s MRI completed the end of 3 days of serious friend networking to get things done quickly and by the right people. Friday after the MRI a childhood friend who is a wheel “there” called and, after he moved some mountains, gave us the “off the record” that it’s localized and encapsulated . The best possible flavor of this bad news. Lumpectomy and no spread to the lymph nodes. Not out of the woods, but early January surgery and a good prognosis for the future.

During the same week my youngest was in an accident. Thankfully, no one was hurt except for the cars were pretty banged up. Yesterday she and I went to juvenile court. The stress from Jane’s issues made this seem like a fairly minor problem to me. My daughter informed me that this was her second offense and she would probably have her license suspended for 3-6 months. Apparently a speeding ticket last summer was “covered up” by she and her mother. So I’m feeling a little pissy about things.

We are sitting in Juvenile court waiting for our turn with the magistrate. A mother and her 2 teenage children comes in and starts talking to the clerk. Making a long story short they were children of a single mother. Son had his license suspended for non-payment of a prior offense that they said they had paid. Mother was angry and finally forlorn about their inability to pay the ticket.

We go into the magistrate. Legal things get explained. Plead no contest. Get the speech about second offenders suspension. Then something happens. The magistrate starts talking to my daughter. Asks her about her life. (She lives a good life) Finds out that her accident took place during a snow storm while driving 3 other of her teammates home. Asks about grades.. (4.0), activities etc. Not really sure what to think about all this. Then leans forward, looks my daughter in the eye and says, I think you deserve a second chance. 50 cans of food donated to the food bank, Court costs of $ 100 or so, clean record until the continued hearing in March, and the violation goes away. Finishes with “Merry Christmas”. I’m getting all misty eyed and bubbling thank you’s are given by the both of us.

So we go back our to the waiting area while the paperwork is processed by the clerk so we can go upstairs to pay. The mother and children are still there. A sheriffs deputy is now there explaining there is nothing they can do and the fine must be paid. They call us up tell us to take the paperwork upstairs, pay and bring the receipt back to retrieve her license. Thought about it for about 2 seconds, pulled out the money she needed, tapped her on the shoulder an put it in her had with a “Merry Christmas. Gotta tell you it felt pretty good. Didn’t stay just walked to the elevator. When the doors closed my daughter hugged me and started crying. It was a very nice moment.

We are up at the cashier, check passes over the counter, and the Sheriff come in and says for them to return the check to me that there is a problem and the magistrate wants to see us. So now I’m feeling less warm and fuzzy. We turn around and the mother and children are there to pay their fine. She’s teary and hugging us. Back into the feeling again. Riding down the elevator with the Sheriff and he’s a piece of stone.

We get back to the magistrates offices and the clerk, sheriff and magistrate are there. Magistrate says, we have a problem. The sheriff told me what you did and I cannot in good conscience …..let you pay any court costs. We don’t get a lot of holiday cheer around here and that was a very nice thing you did. I told her she started it. Everyone smiled, more hugs, we wished Merry Christmas and all parted ways feeling pretty darn good about the inherent good in people.

[kansashat]

Nice story Dave.

Keep us posted about your wife. Our prayers will be with you all.

[MoTheMan]

Now that is a

[SIZE=4]M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S ! ! [/SIZE]




[SIZE=1](P.S. Prayers for your wife's safe & sound recovery)[/SIZE]

[joed]

Dave,

What a story - glad to hear that you have a positive prognosis for your wife.

Your daughter sounds like a charming and loving young lady. You are blessed in that regard.

I haven't been around all that long, but it seems to me that you have been in a kind and generous place for the last couple weeks and I'm glad that the goodness that you seem to spread has found you also.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Danimal]

Great story Dave. I hope things continue to look in your favor in regards to your wife. Keep us posted and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[cosner63]

That is a great story. It sure made my heart fill with joy. Thank you for the up lifting Christmas Spirt.

I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers during your time of need with your wifes health. Please keep us posted on her progress.

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Randy

[galaga]

Best wishes to you and yours, David.

[kvm]

Your a good man Dave. Great story, makes me feel good about people. I Hope everything goes well for your wife. Keep us posted.

Have a great Christmas.

[5thDan]

Glad to hear your wife has a positive prognosis. The rest of your story really shows what the Christmas season is about. Wouldn't it be great if it lasted all year. I guess it wouldn't be so special then. Have a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of New years.

[AAlmeter]

Great story Dave.

Our prayers are with you guys...let us know if we can do anything.

[Navydoc]

You gotta think that a little of that HUGE generous spirit will come back to you..hopefully in good news and prognosis with your wife. If there's anything I can do to help please don't hesitate to let me know.

[KingMeatyHand]

First off, I am very glad to hear that you and your wife got some good news. My prayers are sent for that trend continuing.

The rest of your story, while uplifting, is not all that surprising coming from you. You deserve the great family and good business fortune that you have had.

Merry Christmas

[RPB67]

Good one Dave. That is what Christmas is all about. I can only imagine the feeling you musta had.

Good luck with your wife and definately keep us posted on her progress.

You are to good to have this happen to you. I have faith all will turn out well for you.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Richard

[DownUnder LLG]

Darn Dave you had me going all misty eyed. A wonderful story and thanks for sharing because it really brings home the meaning of Christmas.

Prayers and wishes sent to your wife for a positive outcome. Be strong and stay positive, please keep us posted.

Merry Christmas to you and your family and here's to a Happy New Year full of good wishes, joy and good news.

Jason

[DsrtDog]

Dave,

You continue to be an inspiration. Thank you for reminding me what Christmas is all about. I will definately look for ways to Pay It Forward in as many was as possible.

We wish you and yours the very best for a Merry Christmas and a Bright and Joyful New Year. Our Prayers are and wiil be with you and your wife.

Doug