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Rather than take the politically correct tone and wish you a “Happy Holiday”, I’d like to wish to you and your family a Merry Christmas. I refuse to accept the notion that wishing someone well, regardless of their beliefs, could be offensive. I certainly wouldn’t be upset if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa.

This truly is a Christmas image. Two years ago, my wife and I slipped away for a quick trip to Yosemite. We spent the night of December 23rd in an unheated tent cabin in Curry Village with the hopes of catching the sunrise on Christmas Eve morning. Northside drive was closed for construction so we had to wake early enough to make the walk back to Valley View, or Gates of the Valley as some call it. Because of the time of the morning and the difficulty of getting to the location, we had the place to ourselves. Even though it had been several days since the last snow, the conditions were pristine. The color in the sky lasted just a few minutes and then vanished as the sun peaked over the horizon. Satisfied that we’d seen all that there was to see we climbed back in the car. We arrived home in plenty of time for Christmas Eve at my Mom and Dad’s house with the whole extended family.

Sunrise is a special time of day when nature often puts on a spectacular show. On most of us, the show is lost as we rush through the morning to get to work, school or shopping. Others cringe at the very thought of being up before dawn. I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes the shrill call of the alarm clock is painful, but watching the morning break completely makes up for it.  When considering your resolutions for the coming year let me make a suggestion. Vow to get up early enough to watch a few sunrises with someone you love. You can thank me later.

Cheers