So this is Christmas morning number 40 for moi and before the kids wake up and we do the traditional presents thing, I had one very important present to send.  Oh and you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been taking a holiday blogging break. Lots more to write about when the yuletide smoke disappears. But enough of that, this post is not about me or for me, it’s for a very special friend – actually it’s for a lot of friends but being sent to one specific friend.

I hope it’s not too late for this present to make it to its intended recipient. It’s an email for a friend and fellow associate in our offline business. He may not want his name on the internet so out of respect in this post anywhere his name would appear I’ve replaced with the words ‘my friend’.

A little backstory to bring you up to speed. After 9/11 my friend was so deeply moved by the event that he joined the National Guard. Fast forward seven Christmases later and I’m at home in a warm house with fresh snow on the ground outside – our first white Christmas in many years here – and where is my friend?

Somewhere in Iraq.

Like so many other folks friends, fellow workers, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and even some grandparents. The rest of this post is the email I wrote this morning and am sending out.

Dear my friend,

It’s Christmas morning 2008 here in snowy Washington – can you believe it’s snowing here? - and from what I’ve always heard, seen and read thoughtful, kind military folks like yourself really appreciate mail. Please forgive me for not writing you until today, but hey, I’m doing this before the kids are up yet and thought that writing this any sooner wouldn’t be as heartfelt or special. Write me back when you get time and we’ll carry a more active dialog in 2009. I have plenty of things to tell you about the business side of things but will save that for a future email. Passed along your email to Bruce and hopefully he’s written to you already. You’re in our thoughts.

Strange that being 6:36am the kids aren’t up yet but I guess when you are teenagers staying up too late playing videogames Christmas doesn’t mean as much as it once did. I know you are probably thinking of your children, wife and rest of your family a lot today and I’m sure they are thinking back of you even more. What you are doing for this country is among the greatest gifts given to all of us and I want to thank you, my friend, from the bottom of my heart for your selfless service to the United States of America.

After 9/11 I haven’t done anything nearly as important and noble as what you are doing right now. It is my hope that the final third – or fourth if the great unknown doesn’t happen first – of my life is spent giving more back to others. It’s sort of that one great, unfinished chapter of my life and I’m honored and humbled to personally know some special people like yourself showing me the way of how an important part of one’s life should be spent.

Hey, forgive me if this email sounds a little syrupy from a guy to a guy. Guess I get this way this time of year. Anyway, I’m going to end with a story of a ticket I got on the way down to the beach earlier this year. Have shared this with some other friends around the world and received some positive feedback. Feel free to share it with your buddies in the service if you like. It’s long, like nearly 5,000 words long, but in the spirit of sharing with brave men and women serving in the armed service something entertaining to read, I hope you enjoy it over there.

Before getting to the story though, do me a favor and get your butt home soon safe and sound so we can jam on that shiny new bass guitar of yours! And hey take care, mon, and Merry, Merry Christmas to you and all others serving. We all miss you!

[snip – insert blog post titled: How I fought a following too close ticket in Oregon]

Merry Christmas 2008 and happy holidays to all who celebrate. And thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to read Make You Go Hmm.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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