Sunshine Smiles from Florida

Growing up in Brandon, Florida, I never appreciated why so many Yankees and Canadians would come down and invade our community during the winter months. This Christmas I became the New York Yankee looking for a reprieve for my frostbitten toes that had been trudging the dingy arctic streets of Brooklyn.

Sharon and I spent 3 weeks in Florida wearing shorts and enjoying Florida's warm winter sun. It was a great time to relax with family and friends especially the week of Christmas. I also got to see my former youth minister from First Baptist Brandon, Don Minton and family who were down the week after. Sharon and I drove up to Tallahassee to see my brother Jimmy's new place and burgeoning family. On the way back from Tallhassee, we swung through Spring Hill and saw one of Sharon's old class mates from Africa, Jon Miller as he is helping build his parents' new retirement home from the mission field.

Top Ten List
for our Christmas Vacation at my parents' house
in Florida after coming from Brooklyn:

10. You don't have to walk down the street to do laundry.

9. There is grass to walk barefoot in.

8. (You can walk barefoot with a clean conscience.)

7. Pounds of frozen berries in the freezer instead frozen footsies on the floor.

6. Trees.

5. You can walk around and not bump into people (even in the Christmas rush).

4. People talk slower so you can understand.

3. Fresh oranges on the tree to squeeze.

2. We played Settlers of Catan many victorious times.

1. Sunshine.