[This week, simply the Coach's thoughts on the holiday season. Feel free to contact him with any questions you have at his persoanl email below.]

 Christmas Season. A Time To Be Thankful Blues Fans.

On Friday, December 25th, we will celebrate one of the greatest days of our existence. We celebrate for "Peace on Earth and All Good Will To Men" and we are all "Dreaming of a White Christmas" and a "Silent Night" so that we can "Come All Ye Faithful."

It's time we listen to the words put forth by these great song writers and performers such as Bing Crosby, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Franz Xavier Gruber and a list of many others.

How will you make a difference this holiday season to the lives of the poor, hungry and less fortunate?

We all must reach out this holiday season to help the needy and less fortunate. Whether it be through volunteerism at the Red Cross as a bell ringer, through your local food banks or schools, or by making a financial commitment to the charity of your choice. We all must do a little something special for our fellow Americans this Christmas season.

"We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give." - N. Macevan

This special quote is a motto that I try to live by each passing day. Giving could be a wide array of things such as your time, your expertise, a simple hello to a stranger or a wave to a child walking by. It doesn't take much to volunteer at your local Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA, schools or neighborhood recreation centers. The lives you touch each day could create thousands of success stories in the future. It's always been my vision to manifest excellence in our future; our youth.

I have made a commitment to attend the Christmas mass throughout my life as a Native American Catholic. As a young child and adolescent, it was mandatory that we attended Christmas mass at either St. Stephen's Church in Anoka, Minnesota; St. Mary Magdelan Church in Everett, Washington; and at St. Mary's Church while living in Warroad, MN; and currently St. Michael's Church in Grand Forks, ND.

I have every reason to be thankful as a father, a son, an uncle, a cousin and as a friend. Christmas day rejuvenates our commitment to people and to our families so that the creation of memories and traditions will transcend. It's my hopes that this day is as special to your family as it will be to mine. We will sit and take in the incredible aromas of a fresh baked turkey or ham, grandma's famous stuffing and all the fixings. All this while listening to our Christmas classic songs. For that special moment, that moment in time, will give thanks for all we do have and for the love of a family.

I will be spending post-Christmas with my immediate family and friends in St. Louis for the second straight year. I will be excited for the cutting of the turkey.  For the conversations with my kids.  For the togetherness of a family.

I hope you will too.

Timothy Oshie

Oshie Sports & Media

oshiesports@gmail.com