Friendly advice from a fat guy in a Santa suit

The year was 1993, it was Jessica's first Christmas here on earth. She was born in February, right before the big blizzard of '93 hit. I remember how worried we were during the days that our power was out. Worried that we wouldn't be able to protect our little bundle of joy from the freezing cold temperatures or from the inevitable hunger from lack of food in the house. But, our worries were for naught. The snow melted and life went on much the same as before.

I love this picture. The fat guy in the Santa suit is me. The cutie pie on my lap is Jessica. We were so excited to be having her first Christmas. We wanted to buy her everything under the sun. Of course being folks of limited income, we had to whittle our expectations down some. A baby doll, a Fisher Price See 'n Say, and of course, a Tupperware classic Shape-O ball, were the main items under the tree that year.

My how times have changed. Now our little Jessica is 14-years old. She wouldn't dream of pulling the string on a See 'n Say, or trying to fit the different pieces into the Shape-O ball. Nowadays it's all about the bling; MP3 players, televisions, DVD's, and jewelry. Instead of sitting on my lap, she's barricaded in her room, sitting in front of the computer with her I-pod blasting away in her ears. Don't get me wrong, she's still that sweet bundle of joy, but she is quickly slipping away from us and becoming all grown up. The same with my other two kids. Matthew is now 10 and Liz is 7-years old. I wish I had a secret potion that would keep them all just the way they are. I don't want them to have to face the trials and hardships of this old world. But, I reckon you have to let go eventually, I'm just not quite ready yet.

So, take some friendly advice from a fat guy in a Santa suit. Count your blessings every day. Enjoy your family and friends while you can. Turn off the TV, shut the lid on your laptop, go out and drive around and look at Christmas lights one night. Put on a Santa suit and share your lap with a good friend (see attached picture). Thank the good Lord for everything that you have. All advice that I need to take for myself.