Happy Holidays!  We hope you are receiving this at home, on vacation, or before a very long weekend.

It's getting later in the evening and we are all smiling as we gather here around the fireplace in the Walk Newsletter Land Lobby. Everyone is warm and happy. We've just been going over our year with each other and shaking our heads. Our hearts are absolutely full and we are almost overwhelmed with how fortunate we have been.

We all have a couple (or three) big, warm chocolate chip cookies & cold milk (because we're walking 150 minutes this week). We're about to listen to Walter, a retired baritone from the NY Metropolitan Opera, now a dedicated volunteer in our mail room. He is about to address our entire office and our newsletter readers. This has become a Walk with a Doc tradition. The room is packed, but comfortable. Walter has the most impressive voice; immediately putting you at ease.

"Thank you Walter. Whenever you're ready."

"You sure you're done David? <awkward pause>

"Even a little more long-winded this evening than usual - aren't we Dr. Walkman?" <slightly less awkward pause>"

Poised directly in front of the crackling hearth, Walter clears his throat and then confidently scans the room. His words are methodical and resonant.

"Good evening all. Many of you may be familiar with Chris Van Allsburg's book, The Polar Express.  For those new to the story, a boy, Billy, is magically transported (via Polar Express) to the North Pole. Here, Santa and the elves are about to give the first gift of Christmas.  Billy is offered anything in the world, yet he chooses a very simple gift, a bell off Santa's sleigh.  Santa nods his head, cuts the bell from a reindeer's harness, and gives it to Billy. The delighted boy slips it into his bathrobe pocket.  As the clock strikes midnight, the reindeer pulls the sleigh high up into the sky.  

As the children return to the train, Billy realizes the bell has fallen through a hole in his pocket and is now lost.  He is, of course, heartbroken as he returns home. 

The following morning, his little sister finds a small box with the Billy's name on it among the presents under the Christmas tree.  Inside is the silver bell.  Billy and his sister are enchanted by its beautiful sound, but, surprisingly, their parents cannot hear it. Billy continues to believe in the spirit of Christmas and is able to hear the ringing of the bell even as an adult.

To us, you are all the child who asked for the silver bell. You realize that the life we dream of is right in front of us.  All we have to do is look and listen. You have a special awareness on the almost miraculous benefits of simply going for a walk.

That awareness is the silver bell. That awareness is why we are so proud of you." Walter bows his head and quietly steps away from the fireplace.

A few years ago we started coming together for these walks. We knew we could get in shape, learn something, and share a dream of making it easier for others to do the same.  Together, we've seen all the incredible things regular activity can do.

Yes, of course we're happy, we're lowering blood pressures, raising good cholesterols, dropping blood sugars, fighting off cancers, and honestly, so much more than that. But most importantly, we're happy.