Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our family had so many holiday memories that we could write a book. Everyone has their cherished traditions, but this year we wanted to build some new ones for this holiday season. As anyone knows who has cancer or a loved one who has cancer, sometimes creating sweet memories helps overcome grim realities. Our season of sweet memories started with the November/December holiday activity calendar that Suba (cruise director) provides every year. And it concluded with a trip to the beach @ Isle of Palms at the end of Christmas Weekend for Sam and KB to surf in the final glorious weather days of 2008.

There were many highlights that included our vantage point of the Shem Creek Bridge for the Mount Pleasant Fireworks and Christmas Parade, KB’s trip to Rock Hill for state football tournament, Mandy and Sam’s trip to Chicago with Grandmommie, Poppy, Bebe, KK & KB getting to keep Rowland here in Mount Pleasant and our Amazing Family Christmas Race.

We supported each other on the days we felt great and the days we felt a little lousy and always remembered of the spirit of the season. Our day of celebration in honor of our Saviour’s Birth included treasured handmade gifts all around – unique personally designed items from Becky, owl pillows from Mandy, hand-knitted scarves from Kimberly, woodworking from David, pound cake from Suba, hand-painted ceramics from KB and generously, Kevin shared his firewood.

For the Amazing Family Christmas Race, a 15 passenger shuttle was rented and we wore our AFCR shirts made by Mandy. Our alter egos, Zebulon (Sam), Stellouise (Mandy), Sookie (Kimberly), Beeza (Becky), Norton (Kevin), Maverick (KB), Sandra Dee (Suba), Woody (David) and two little boys laughed, giggled, joked and left all worries behind as we read our clues that led us to special locations that included Sullivan’s Island, Mount Pleasant and downtown Charleston. The Operation Burning Daylight Team plays together and prays together. We don’t let the predictions of cancer doctors dampen our spirits and fortitude for creating positive memories. Great fun, great pictures and great memories made for a very joyful journey through this wonderful Christmas season. We’re all grateful for the events of 2008 and we don’t know what awaits in the coming year but the OBD team have named it Divine 09 and we always have faith that everything will be Fine in 09. Blessings to all of you and always remember that the joy is in the journey!