I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your holiday season is going well. If you look closer you may find that, even if you didn’t get everything that you WANTED, you probably have all that you NEED. Big difference. Occasionally we receive reminders of this in unusual ways, or at times when we’re not expecting to.

Last week during my visit to the Los Angeles Shriner’s hospital for a Racer’s Who Care presentation I got reminded, big time. Children who have been burned, have severe asymmetrical issues with their limbs, or have had amputations can quickly bring your perspective down to earth. I don’t know if I made a difference in any of their’s or their parent’s lives, nor will I probably ever know, but four and a half hours out of my day is a small price. I would have liked to include some photos, but didn’t take any out of respect for the families. Many of the children spoke no English, and getting my message out was tough with a translator, but I could see the affirmative nods from the parents when something I talked about touched them.

Mom-in-law Cindy had her annual Christmas party out in Fontana. It used to be a chance to see all of our friends, most of who race, in clean clothes. Now, because of the Funny Car schedule, it’s a chance to catch up with many of the friends I haven’t seen for several months. We always have a gift exchange program and a reaction time competition (like we’d miss doing drag race stuff!). I didn’t win the RT contest (Brent Cannon did), but I did get some lovely seasonal candles if anyone is interested. I didn’t WANT candles, but apparently I NEED them.

I presented Rodger and Karen the firesuit that I wore when I won Denver, Seattle, and the Skoal Showdown. When I turned my back Harold Owens had put it on and had Schumacher on the phone applying for the job in a fourth Funny Car! Harold is an incredible individual. Originally from Colorado, he has been around racing since the AA/Gas Willies’ days, and he still is a hell of a bracket racer. He got his alcohol dragster license at the Hawley School and I would love to see him take some passes in a REALLY fast car one day. Maybe we can sneak him into the MTS car for a squirt at one of the test sessions. Since he works the front of the staging lanes for most of the NHRA races, it shouldn’t be too tough logistically to make a last second swap. Now we just need something to help him grow 5 inches so he can see over the injector in my car!

A saga has officially come to a close: The last of the wood from the backyard tree is gone......all gone. For those that have followed the chronicles of “the tree”, the finality of that era came without much fanfare as Brent and I loaded the last big pieces into his truck for the trek back to the Chateau de Cannon in lovely, cold Wrightwood. I saved about a thousand bucks doing the work myself, and the Cannons can stay warm for the next year.

Christmas eve I have always gone over to my mother’s best friend’s house. Irene’s son Mike is one of my best friends, and though we don’t see each other very often, it’s great to see that whole family. We’ve done this as long as I can remember and, though my mom is gone and everyone has grown up and has their own families and schedules, it’s something that I need AND want to do. My mom was a car nut growing up, and Irene and the rest of the gang often would go to the drags (this was in the late 50’s and early 60’s). It’s awesome how all of them are following my racing, and many come out to one or two events per year to root for us. Irene’s brother Chuck just had the lower part of his left leg amputated due to circulatory problems, and as soon as he was well enough they went in and did open heart surgery on him. Between these small “inconveniences”, Chuck came out to Pomona for the Finals ... that’s hard-core! His three sons, along with Mike, my brother Ted, and I are all close in age and grew up around one another. We see less of everyone since we decided to get jobs and start families, but the racing has actually brought us closer in many ways. I WANTED to spend several hours visiting, but Jenna, Jason and I NEEDED to get to her father Bill’s for dinner, so we hastily made our way.

Bill and Joan had a great dinner for everyone. Cousin “baby Jack” brought his parents Leia and Erik, and Marv and Devon (Jenna’s other sister), along with some other friends, were also there. We had a gift exchange. Another gift exchange. Man, would I have loved some more candles, but I got stuck with a dumb old Led Zeppelin CD. I am being facetious, of course. Good thing I NEEDED that (and wanted it).

Christmas morning Cindy came over to our house to help Jenna make breakfast. Uncle Ted came by and spent time helping Jason open presents. It looks as though Jenna and I will never have to buy Jason any toys, and probably not many clothing items either. Now we just need a bigger house to keep all of his stuff. Ted drove over in his Blazer, and Jason wanted to go four-wheeling with his uncle, but I know how my brother drives, and that won’t happen until Jason has a beard (hopefully gray by then!).

Jenna gave me a die-cast of the MTS Dodge Charger. I know, they don’t exist, but mine does! I have received tons of e-mails from friends and fans wanting to know when this car would be ready for purchase. Due to some communication issues the car wouldn’t have been done before the end of this year, so we cancelled the order. It was disappointing, as I know many people wanted one. Jenna had Dave Marek, the gentleman who designed the paint scheme on the car, do a one-off version for me. I have no idea how long he spent on this, but I was really impressed with the results.

Christmas afternoon we headed down to my grandma’s house in Malibu. No, she isn’t rich, but it does sound cool to say she lives there. My cousin, who also is a Jason Russell, albeit a Jorgenson, not Beckman, just got engaged to long-time girlfriend (his, not mine) Stephanie. He proposed on top of the Empire State Building. Show-off. Now the pressure will be on them to make my uncle a grandfather, and supply more great-grandchildren for our grandma.

I’m a husband, I’m a father, and I’m alive. I truly have everything that I NEED!



Jack

p.s.(But I do WANT to win the Funny Car championship in 2008)