I haven't forgotten about you.

I wish I had something particularly witty or interesting to say, but I don't. I have nothing useful to share or entertaining to depict.

The reality of the situation is that after 11 weeks of pregnancy, we lost the baby.

I didn't mention it before specifically for this reason. My mother raised me to believe that if you uttered the excitement before the end of the 1st trimester, you were inviting fate to intervene.

I want no "I'm so sorry", and I want no concern or well-wishing. I'm fine. Brody's fine. We're okay. Really.

I tell you of this blip on an otherwise lucky radar screen for one reason and one reason only.

As Christmas approaches, I think it's very important for each and every one of you to take inventory of your lives. Don't think of all of the coulda woulda shoulda mess. Look at what you have, and be thankful for it. Think of others, and remember that someone somewhere always has it worse than you. Be grateful for the lives that have in some way, no matter how large or small, reached out and by some miracle caused  a ripple on the little pond of *your* life. Be glad of your experiences, good and bad, because they have shaped who you are today.

Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you, and say thank you for being a part of your life, and for them allowing you to be a part of theirs.

I hope everyone has a good Christmas. I'll catch up with you at New Year's.