hello my friends. it is the height of the holiday season. christmas is but a day away. take the time to cherish the holidays, whichever you may celebrate. do not be bothered with gifts, or the hustle and bustle and the annoyance of the jerk that cut you off in the mall parking lot. just take the time to enjoy time with family and friends. that is truly what the season is for. unfortunately many of us only truly enjoy it during this time of year. so please please please, this season enjoy it. you never know when a family member or friend may not be with you to celebrate again. december 10, 2006, just a couple short weeks ago, i lost my father. he went into the emergency room at the 1st of the month and was in icu for a week. i was at his bedside. he had emergency surgery which went very well, and was recovery very well. as his recovery was going so well i went back home to denver. only to get a phone call a couple days later that he had asperated and flatlined. he was resusitated and back on a ventilator. the preacher called me and told me the drs didnt expect him to make it thru the night. my family and i drove back to ks to be with my father hoping he would hold on till i got there. when i arrived his body was a mere shell of the man my father had once been. but i was at his bedside once again. at noon dec 10, richard bowles, the greatest man to EVER walk this earth passed on . last christmas was the first christmas i was able to spend with my father in 10 years. 10 years. thru the course of the year i saw him a few more times, and i cherish the past year because of it. i miss my father dearly everyday, i wish i had more time to show him how much he meant to me, and how much he inspired me. so again i implore all of you, please please please take this holiday season for what it truly is. the time to show your loved ones what they mean to you. with tear filled eyes i wish you all a merry christmas and happy holiday season scott