In reading the latest dispatches regarding the condition and recovery of Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, following neurosurgery for the gunshot wound to her head, I was transported back, some dozen-plus years in the blink of an eye.

The reports coming from University Medical Center in Tucson, detail how doctors are cautiously encouraged by Ms. Giffords’ ability to do simple things like squeeze a hand, wiggling toes, or holding up fingers, when asked to.  One doctor told a television interviewer that these simple acts represent both significant progress and serious, but cautious hope for her recovery.

I can tell you from personal experience that these simple acts are even more monumental for any patient after brain surgery–and their loved ones.

So imagine when the patient is just six years old.

When our daughter Maddie had to have brain surgery on the top of both sides of her brain, the moment that I will always remember was when this six year old girl, head bandaged and swollen so large after hours of surgery, squeezed my fingers in her tiny little hand.

It was a small act, something we take for granted on so many levels, and one that forever changed my definition of what I am truly thankful for.

It was made possible by the remarkable skills of a surgeon who operates on that most delicate and still relatively unknown portion of the human body–the brain.

And more remarkable, when a incredibly skilled neurosurgeon specializes in practicing their skills on the tiny, still-developing brain of a child.

I can never thank Dr. Michael Scott of Children’s Hospital in Boston enough for saving our daughter’s life–our daughter who turned 18 last year and is now a thriving college freshman.

But I remember as if happened today, that before she could even speak after the surgery, she could squeeze my fingers.  And that was when I finally let myself believe that she would recover and be alright.

Prayers and best wishes for Congresswoman Giffords and her family, as well as for all of the victims and their families.  They are all forever changed by this truly horrific act of a mad man.

As perhaps, we all should be.

It’s been a crazy time.  I know people say that all the time, but the last half of the last month of 2010 has hit a new high for cranked-up madness.

So let’s get a piece of advice out of the way right now:  If you ever are faced with the idea of uprooting your life and moving, think twice before doing so in the month of December.

Particularly late in the month.

Because that whole holiday thing just drops a level of stress on top of the normal stress of moving that is hard to put into words. But you can imagine.

Anyway, now that the holidays are winding down and we’ve moved from 2010 into a new year of 2011–it is time to put some things into perspective and to put the promise of a new year into focus like never before.

I believe in the premise and the promise of renewal.  Renewal of the heart and mind, regeneration of the spirit.  When it’s all said and done, isn’t this what drives us?  On a daily basis, we are driven to reach the end of the day when we get to rest and eventually get a night’s sleep (hopefully a good one) before tackling the challenges that await in the next day.

On a larger scale, that is my new year’s resolution.  The renewal of the spirit through a massive change of life that involves making almost everything about life a new adventure. Moving to a new place to work and live.  Meeting a whole bunch of new people.

And discovering what really is around the next corner.

Of course this kind of renewal doesn’t happen without knowing where you’ve come from. And a big part of the past couple of weeks has been about taking stock of that.  Saying farewells to friends–at least for a time–and dealing with the various aspects of picking up, packing up and moving.

Even if you aren’t tackling this kind of life change, the chances are that you are considering what the new year will bring in terms of change to your own life.

So pardon the philosophical moment if you will, but here’s hoping that it renews your spirit and carries you to the best year you have had in a long time.

A year in which, as today’s unique date suggests, you get to focus on being number 1 in every way.

Happy New Year to you.