I hope everyone had a lovely and enjoyable Christmas. It’s easy to get caught up in all the chaos that holidays tend to bring, but hopefully everyone was able to find some rest and peace of mind if nothing else. I found some peace of mind in the fact that my wheelchair did not malfunction this holiday, and I was able to get out and enjoy it.
My family was invited to spend Christmas with the Voegele family at their home this year. They have become wonderful friends to my family and we’re fortunate for all they have done for us. Our paths have crossed as a result of my accident, but their kindness and comfort makes me feel like I have known them all my life. My parents, Lindsey and myself joined Will, Betsy, Kate and Courtney at their house along with several of their relatives and close friends. After some clever maneuvering, including the use of a ramp my mom had, I was able to get into the house successfully and move about quite easy.
The evening turned out to be a very fun time! There was a lot of great food and drink to be had. All the men donned Christmas ties that played music. The highlight of the evening, though, was the gift exchange. We all packed ourselves into the living room and drew numbers. Several gifts, some serious and some goofy, all wrapped nicely, were placed in the center of the room. The person who drew the lowest number was the first to select a gift. After that, each subsequent person could either select a gift or “steal” the gift of someone who already selected. No gift could be stolen more than three times. We all had a lot of fun watching each other open the various gifts and strategize on which gift to steal. My Dad opened up a gift containing a monkey clock that was coveted by quite a few, but in the end he was able to steal it back and hang onto it. However, I personally think the best gift of the night was the Shake Weight that Matt’s daughter ended up with. All and all, it was a wonderful way to spend Christmas!
I attached some pictures from the evening — the gift exchange; my Dad with his monkey clock; Will (enjoying the Shake Weight) , myself, Brett and Matt all in our Christmas ties; and the more serious picture with Kate and her cousin.
The following afternoon, Kate Voegele sang the National Anthem at the Browns game. My parents who were also at the game, were invited on the field before the game, and ran into the Voegele family once again down on the field. Kate rocked the house with a great performance! Unfortunately, the same could not be said about the Browns.
I have a few more apartments to look at this week and then should be ready to choose one soon. I have a place I like and am very comfortable with in the event the others don’t show promise. It will probably take a few extra days to transition to the apartment due to everything that has to be in place, but I am still very excited to be on the move again! I have a busy week ahead of me and I’m looking forward to it.
Wishing everyone all the best as you continue to enjoy this Christmas season! Thank you for all your prayers and support!
Scott
Scott,
Happy New Year Buddy!! If you need help when you find your place, please shoot me a message! Would love to help you get settled into your new digs!
Happy New Year…we are headed to New Orleans, in the airport now waiting to board…going to root on that Dane and those Buckeyes in the Suga’!! 🙂
Hi Scott,
Thanks for the pictures. You look great and I could tell you had a good, good time. Sounds like your appartment hunting is moving along quite well.
All that is good and positive I wish for you in 2011.
In my prayers always.
Happy New Year.
Love,
Cherry
Hi Scott,
So nice to read the accounts of your Christmas experiences. Ironically, we do the same gift exchange regarding drawing numbers and selecting gifts from the gift pool every year. We only let a gift be taken twice before it is retired however.
BUT, the highlight of our holiday was forgiving our traditional gift exchanges as I have previously mentioned to you in order to gather those funds and turn them into a monetary gift for you. While we were all gathered we tallied the results and am so pleased to say that $3,300 will be coming your way . . .
It has been one of our best Christmas’s ever doing this. With your move to a new apartment, we’re sure you will find good uses for the gift.
May God bless you during the New Year as you continue your recovery while providing a tremendous inspriation to us all.
Holiday Cheers, Darch, Leiter, Adashun & Wood family’s AND all others that have contributed to your gift.
Scott,
So glad everything went off well for Christmas and you had such a good time. The tie looks awesome on you. You also look very relaxed and you needed that. Got a little somethin-somethin coming your way which should help set up your pad. Love you buddy.
Rick and Patty 🙂
May our Lord bless you in the New Year with many miracles.
Good luck with the apt. hunt.
I wish you a Happy, Holy, Healthy New Year!!! I can’t wait to hear about your new apartment.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful Christmas. It looked like so much FUN!!!!
God Bless You,
(Bobbi’s friend)
Belated Merry Christmas and Best to you in 2011. A friend of mine from Fremont, Ohio is a priest. He has MS and has been in a wheelchair the past 20 years or so. The attached is a wonderful article about him that I thought you might enjoy.
http://www.catholic-sf.org/news_select.php?newsid=27&id=57974
We had frost on our cars this morning in Orlando! I felt like I was back in Perrysburg!!!
Blessings to you and your upcoming move.
Pat
Hi Scott,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Wishing you all the best in 2011.
Sue Semenec
btw: what is a shake weight?!
Your words carry the feeling of the spirit of Christmas. I am happy for you and your family to have had such a wonderful day. I’ll see you tomorrow.
I got a shake weight too (from Paul – lol) – Glad you had a great Christmas and have a super Happy New Year! Miss you and Kristy!
-Traci & Paul (and Max and Steve)
So happy for you, Scott, that you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. Your nursing home cronies will miss you! Hope 2011 will be a year of miracles for you.