I hope that everyone is having a safe and Merry Christmas, where ever you are. Getting to today was not easy, given the problems that I have faced (and for that matter, the world.) Shortly after I got home from running my Allstate Hot Chocolate 5K on Sunday, my grandmother (who just turned 80 years old in November) was taken to the emergency room due to some of the breathing problems that have been plaguing her for a number of years now.

I am happy to report that after a two day stint in the hospital, she is now home and resting comfortably. Her health problems, combined with health problems that the rest of my family faces, have lead me seriously re-evaluate my own health, and I am happy to report that I am down nearly 20 lbs since mid-October, and my mood has generally improved. Those things may be the best Christmas gift that I could ever given myself.