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Hey Dad,

I can't believe that Christmas is only eight days away. I feel a little like we're in the final kick, cramming all the fun we can into the season.

It doesn't help that I've had a hacking cough for the last several days. It's the kind of cough that comes in fits, leaving you worn out and achy … and this is not the time of year to be worn out and achy. I still have advent nights to plan, presents to wrap, a treasure box to make for Ike, and special family Christmas outings to lead … not to mention all of the normal workload.

Right now, I'd rather take a nap.

At least we've already got in our "sleeping under the Christmas tree" tradition. It's been an annual thing at our house. We gather our blankets and pillows and scatter them out on the floor around the tree and fall asleep in the glow of Christmas tree lights.

The kids loved it, but I felt stiff and achy the next morning. That's when the coughing kicked in. In fact, the next two nights I slept downstairs on the couch just so my coughing wouldn't keep my pregnant wife up all night and possibly infect her with the "hack."

However, the bone-jarring hacking made it tough to sleep, and I found myself staring at a darkened Christmas tree and listening to a silent house instead.

It was an eerie silence … the kind that would be perfect for a visit by the ghost of Jacob Marley. No ghost came, but during the silence in-between hacks, I thought about missed opportunities with my family, children who are growing up faster than I like, and a pregnant wife who needs some special TLC.

In the darkness, I decided that I would spend the remaining days 'till Christmas sittin' around and talking more, working less, and listening more intently … as I hack my head off.

So, Dad, make the most of the eight days until Christmas. Gather the family around the Christmas tree. Dim the lights, talk, and soak up the wonderful feeling of family like a dry Christmas tree soaks up water in its pan.

You 'da … hack, hack, hackkkk … dad!

PPS: We've sold out of You 'da Dad daily calendars twice! We still have more being shipped to us, but I can't guarantee their arrival to you by Christmas. Sorry about that. You can reach us at familyman@bnin.net or visit us at www.familymanweb.com

© 2005 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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