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"Why Isn't It Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas?"

First, don't get me wrong, I am especially thankful this Christmas for all the blessings in my life. I have an incredible best friend and wife of nearly 25 years, and 3 of the greatest sons a father could ever ask for. What's not to be festive about?

Well, I'm out driving around earlier tonight, and the radio is playing one of those standard-issue favorites, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" and my eyes start to well up. "Why don't I feel like it's Christmas? Is there some kind of Scrooge virus goin' around?"

It certainly didn't help for us to go out to see the new Will Smith flick, "The Pursuit of Happyness." Now granted, it's a really good movie, but of the total 1hr and 56 minutes, nearly all of it is extremely depressing!

So why all the glum on the eve before the Eve?

It's the first Christmas we've been without our daughter, Emily. She's down in Southern California, and won't be here with us. Her mom is going down to see her on Christmas Day, so there is some solace in the fact that someone will see her, be with her, hold her, love on her.

But I would gladly give up everything under our tree that has a label with my name on it, in exchange for just one minute together this Christmas with my sweet, precious Emily.

Rich Jacobson, Professional Real Estate Agent and Devoted Father in Kitsap County WA

Posted by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder on 12/24/2006 03:20 AM

Comments (17)

family, christmas, traditions, washington, kitsap county, silverdale

17 Comments on "Why Isn't It Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas?"

Rich ~ your daughter is lovely. I wish I could grant you your wish to be with your daughter...if it were within my power I would do so.

12/24/2006 04:27 AM

by Kristal Kraft ~Denver Real Estate~303-589-2022 (The Berkshire Group Realtors)

Hang in there, bub. She couldn't have grown up in your house without realizing how much she is loved. Being a dad is not a job for the weak. You are not her dad by mistake or by accident.

12/24/2006 06:10 AM

by Mark Flanders (Olympic Northwest Mortgage)

We wish you a merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas! We wish you a merry Christmas And a happy New Year! Glad tidings we bring To you and your kin! Glad tidings for Christmas And a happy New Year!

Broker Bryant and The Lovely Wife (pretend we are singing it works better like that) ROAR!

12/24/2006 06:47 AM

by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)

Rich, I am with you on that one, tomorrow is my grandbaby's 1st Christmas and she too is in CA and I just can't make a FL-CA trip, I'd gladly give up my gifts and right arm to do so. Try to have a great Christmas tho!
Lysa

12/24/2006 07:16 AM

by Lysa Napolitano, Call Coordinator ~ Century 21 Sundance (Century 21 Sundance)

Wow, California must be hopping. My Grandchildren are there also! And yes they are the one's I would love to see tomorrow. Trying not to think about it. Have a wonderful Xmas, Rich!

12/24/2006 07:48 AM

by Karen Hurst ~ Real Estate Broker ~ Warwick ~ Rhode Island (Storm Realty LLC)

KK - thanks, I appreciate the thought. We'll have a great family time today, but she will be missed.

Mark - hangin' in there! What's the saying? "When you're at the end of your rope, you're just at the start of God's!"

Lysa - what a cutie! Looks like I'm not the only one facing this quandry. Thanks for your kind comments!

Karen - looks like you, me, and Lysa are all in the same boat. Wanna paddle together towards some Christmas cheer? Thanks for your encouragement!

12/24/2006 11:11 AM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

Have a Merry one anyway. :) TLW...ROAR!

12/24/2006 11:54 AM

by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)

Rich, I've spent Christmases away from my family when I was overseas. Not fun for me or for them. Emily will appreciate having her mom's company and she KNOWS you wish you were all together. You are a great dad.

I'll cherish the time I have know with Katya, as you do with your family.

12/24/2006 12:15 PM

by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky, SKBK Sotheby's - Metro Detroit (SKBK Sotheby's International Realty)

MF - I just talked with her over the phone. She sounds good! It will be great when Janice is down there with here tomorrow. Thanks for the being such a great encourager!

12/24/2006 12:26 PM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

TLW - oh, we most definitely will! The boys are getting all pumped up! We're heading off to church now. Have a great day!

12/24/2006 12:27 PM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

Hi Rich - Having read Mark's account of 4th of July, I know that your family will rally together today. And when Emily sees her Mom tomorrow, she'll be 'seeing' each of you as well. Merry Christmas!

12/24/2006 01:02 PM

by John Novak - Las Vegas and Henderson NV Real Estate (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

Rich, the Natural universe does what it wants and I bet Emily is buoyed by the love she feels from everyone in her family. You WILL be with her, in spirit! Have a wonderful Christmas.

PS: I was worried you were going to say you'd give up all the presents for one snowflake and I would have said bah humbug! I am SO glad we don't have snow ! LOL

12/24/2006 01:13 PM

by Carole Cohen Realtor®, ePRO (Howard Hanna Cleveland City Office)

Rich, I pray that it is in God's will for your prays to be answered. I know your faith is strong. Enjoy this time with your sons. May God Bless you this Christmas.

12/24/2006 06:08 PM

by George Souto (McCue Mortgage Co.)

Rich:

I understand the incredible love for a daughter but can't even begin to feel your anxiety today. (Imagining it helps me empathize with you).

I'm an hour south if you need anything. She'll be home soon.

12/25/2006 03:33 AM

by America's #1 Mortgage Broker

Laurie

12/25/2006 05:38 AM

by Laurie Manny, Long Beach Homes - Long Beach Condos (Main Street Realtors Long Beach California)

Brian - thanks, I needed that!

George - there is no better place to be than in the center of His will. Thanks!

Carole - I always appreciate your thoughtfulness!

Laurie - thanks for the nice festive banner!

John - yeah, she's pretty excited to see her Mom. Have a great day as well!

12/25/2006 03:38 PM

by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)

Your daughter is georgous! Why is she in SoCal? College?

You are an awesome dad to miss her so. My parents were so relieved to get me out of the house when I finally left, in fact they shipped me off to England to get rid of me ;) Little did they know I'd come back and bring my brood with me.

12/31/2006 02:10 AM

by Jessica Hughes (Ambiance Staging)

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