The Most Grateful Time of the Year

By Tom Johnson

I can’t say I’ve been in the Christmas spirit to date, but I feel like I’m getting there.

Yesterday, as I now open up my medical history to you, I went into Hoag Hospital for what’s called a cardio conversion. It’s what needs to happen when your heart goes into atrial fibrillation or, more simply put, into a flutter.

But before Friday and the big day gets here, I have some Christmas wishes to pass out. The danger of a column like this is whom you might miss, so in advance, I know I will miss a lot of people who are very special to my life, I apologize to you in advance.

Let’s start with community involvement: it takes a very special breed to bring about good. Gordon Bowley, Rick Kapko, Katrina Foley and John Ursini are just a few who work so hard in Costa Mesa to better kids' athletic lives.

At Hoag Hospital, every nurse and doctor should head any list. But, to me, 2009 puts Mary and Dick Allen at the top of Santa’s list for their compassionate endeavor to open the new diabetes center affiliated with Hoag.

Heather Harwell, Jim Coufos, Rick Martin and Judy Bethe thrill me with their effort to promote a very special Choose Nursing, Choose Hoag program that improves every patient’s care.

Dan Monahan and Mike Scheafer work locally with the Harbor Area Boys & Girls Club that serves, well, kids. Lots of them. And, many of them, need that special help to keep them off our streets.

There’s Karen McGlinn and Karen Harrington with Share Ourselves, Shannon Santos at the Soup Kitchen and Kathy DuVernet, Youth Employment Services, to name a few who help those in need throughout our community.

It reminds me of a week ago when driving back to the office following lunch at Wahoo’s, I mentioned to my business partner, Bill Lobdell, that I really should find time to volunteer during the holidays.

Bill’s comment, in hindsight, made so much sense. “If you want to volunteer, wait until after the holidays. Now, everyone feels the need to volunteer because of the season, but the rest of the year, those same groups really need volunteers.”

Makes a lot of sense.

Additionally, I appreciate our elected officials, from Mansoor and Bever in Costa Mesa to Selich and Curry in Newport Beach. Black and Yelsey on the school board to Moorlach at the county supervisor level.

Then on the personal front, I’m very thankful. I mentioned Lobdell earlier, but it’s great trying to figure out the business world and our future with him.

Of course, anyone who knows me knows I love my ex-wife Lana and her wonderful role in not only our business endeavors but with raising a daughter together.

I have a great group of friends that no one else would admit to, including our old fire chief Tim Riley, my buddy Bob McDaniel, Bill Pierpoint, Chris Wynkoop and Brett Hemphill, to name a few.

And, so I don’t get in trouble, even you, Ray.

On the home front, life couldn’t be better: my wife, Vicki, daughters, Ashley and Victoria, make everyday the best it can be. They are forgiving, offer understanding and, well, everything a guy could ask for. Let's just say, I'm lucky in love on all fronts.

To Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, I love you and wish you the best of holidays and look forward to a great 2010…together.

Thanks for being there.

Tom Johnson is co-publisher of the Daily Voice.