Buckeye Mike

Yesterday was Christmas Day. Tiffany and I were up early as John-Michael and his family were scheduled to pick up Ben and Tanner to go their Mother's house in the morning before we hosted dinner at 2. By the time they headed out at 8:30 we had most of the food ready to pop in, with the ham and green beans already in the crock pots. As we sat for a minute, we began to talk about the things we had forgotten to pick up, including salad dressing, bottled water, and a couple of gift cards that we were going to be giving family later. A quick google search revealed that both Family Dollar and Rite Aid were open yesterday. Not that I wanted to go to the store on Christmas Day. The thought of grumpy last minute shoppers waiting in line made me cringe, especially when I realized I would be one of them. But both brands had a location in Mt. Gilead, so I decided to make the quick drive and get what we needed. I had let John-Michael take my van to his Mom's because it is a little easie

Earlier today, I posted  The Pocketwatch  as part of my continuing Christmas Tradition. And while that story is close to my heart, nothing can top my new favorite Christmas story about my awesome wife and her new heart she received 2 years ago this Christmas. It is a cool story, and A LOT has happened since, with more big things on the horizon. But I wanted to share what I wrote in 2017, 3 days after her surgery. Before you read it, please be aware of three things: First, I cannot express to you what I was feeling when she received her gift. That December, her health was going downhill. Her complexion was gray, there were dark circles under her eyes, and she was on oxygen. Everyday I woke up wondering is that was the day my heart was going to shatter. Going from that feeling to planning the rest of our lives with my very healthy wife has been amazing. Second thing: At the end of this post there is a picture of both her old and new hearts together on the operating room table. It i

Nine years ago today, I wrote a post entitled "The Pocketwatch". It is a story about my mother, who was my best friend and is the inspiration for this blog.  It has always been my favorite Christmas story, and is become an annual tradition.  And while this story about my Mom is still so close to my heart, the story of my wife's new heart on Christmas Day 2017 is now my favorite Christmas story ever. Still, my pocketwatch means more to me than anything I own.. Thanks for reading As a kid growing up, Christmas Eve was always the most special day of the year. Aside from the Santa visit, the day was filled with so much tradition and family that is was more like an event than a holiday. Everyone would gather at my grandparents house for Christmas dinner. Cars would fill the drive way, be parked on the hill, and even in the front yard. My Uncle Ronnie would read the Christmas story.  And there was always a feast, with us kids pushing everyone to finish their plates so we coul