• I’m opening this bag up gradually, but it is opening up. More consistent postings will start the second week of the new year. I haven’t physically seen or hugged my kids since the day of surgery when I dropped them off at school, and I’m about to get them for ten straight nights, so my attention will be on them. There’s no telling if I’ll ever be able to regain my audience. But you folks have been loyal and encouraging, and I haven’t forgotten about it.
• As you know, it’s been a hell of a life-changing year for me. This blog was even used against me in court. How will this affect my blogging in the future? I’m not sure. I felt it was important to be transparent with a lot of my thoughts and feelings, even if they were unpopular and made little sense. I tried to be authentic and sincere. In that spirit, I’d like to continue to be that way, though I may be more guarded.
• One thing is for sure, you’re going to be disappointed in me and I accept that. I’m a newly divorced man who is still grieving the death of his 17-year marriage, adjusting to having limited access to my children. I’m wounded, damaged, and in some ways, bitter, sad, and angry. In other ways, I’m humbled and grateful. I’m going to express and reveal some things which will make you think less of me. You are going to question why I shared some intimate stuff and why I’m taking shots at my ex and her family. Some of that may be intentional, some of it will be unintended, as I best try to put into words some complex thoughts and feelings. You will be bothered with me being a Donny-Downer, writing about all the things that make me sad and I’m struggling with. This is part of my process of healing and growing. There are going to be times in which I turn comments off just because I have the power to do so.
• Christmas by the numbers:
  • 0 – number of presents I unwrapped this year.
  • 1 – hugs I received on Christmas.
  • 2 – number of Christmas cards I received in the mail.
  • 3 – number of phone calls received wishing me a Merry Christmas.
  • 9 – number of texts received wishing me a Merry Christmas.
• My recovery continues to go well. I still tire easy and there’s some tingling in my fingertips. My neck is stiff and sore more than it hurts. But as you can see, I’m walking much better and a lot of my strength, balance, and coordination has returned. My spiral could use some work, but it’s my first throw after surgery and with a neck brace on.

If you are wondering why the camera panned or moved, it was because of the wind and just worked out in my favor. Here’s the before surgery video if you’d like to compare.