Today is December 24, 2001, which means that it is also Christmas Eve. And for the first time since I was fifteen years old – my Christmas spirit is back – and I am happy that it’s Christmas once again.

When I woke up this morning, I could feel the joy inside of me that today was Christmas Eve. That feeling of joy has escaped me for so many years due to issues and life choices that I made during the holidays that always seemed to overpower my holiday spirit. Whatever the reason – it just seemed each and every year that Christmas was passing me by. But this year – it’s back and better then ever.

This year’s Christmas began weeks ago when Christine and I went to Rockefeller Center to watch the lighting of the most famous Christmas tree in the world. From that moment, I knew this would be a magical Christmas – and I was right. And the happy moments continued from that point all the way up to this afternoon. From buying our first Christmas tree, to decorating it with our friends, to buying gifts for each other – to waking up next to each other on Christmas Eve morning – this year’s holiday season makes up for each and every miserable one that I have had over the last few years – and then some.

And now, as we prepare to go to Christine’s family’s house for Christmas Eve dinner, I am looking forward to tonight just as I did when I was fifteen – and it feels great.