Posted because I conside most of you friends. 8)

As many of you know, my family has taken a heckuva beating this past year or so. The financial aftermath and subsequent mess my folks had their estate is was an enormous headache.

I have truly been blessed with a wonderful wife. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have made it.

I think I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, though. We close on a home for my mom tomorrow.

It needs a LOT of work, but my youngest daughter, Damnation, will be doing a large chunk of the cleaning and painting. She will also live in the house till my mom is able to leave the nursing home.

Closure of this chapter comes at a good time for us. It gives a sense of accomplishment and even a little hope. You see, I hate having people I love falling prey to the vultures that make up bureaucracy. My view of our government and those who run it has soured significantly.

But it appears we have finally gotten rid of the scavengers and cling-ons. It will be nice to do some physical work so that some appearance of accomplishment can be witnessed. I look forward to a little "sweat equity".

The whole point of this rant is simple ...

This holiday season, cherish the moments you have with loved ones. In my case, my family has all been taken away in just a few months. I truly understand the meaning of "you never know how much time you have left." Use your time wisely.

The greatest gift you can give your children, is solid and thought out post life planning. Trust me ... the last thing you want your kids to go through is making hard, hard decisions in an accelerated time table and during a very emotional time.

Likewise, the gretest gift you can recieve is getting the same thing from your folks.

When we're young, in our 30s and 40s, we still view our folks as supermen and even kryptonite can't bring them down. Right now is the time to start thinking and acting. Putting it off or ignoring it is easy. Having it unexpectedly dumped in your lap is worse.

While it appears to be a morbid and somber post, it really isn't. I am celebrating the time I have with my mom and my kids. I do not take the precious time the good Lord has given me lightly any longer. Everything is secondary to that.

Happy holidays everyone and be safe out there.