Taking a Break

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It is the holidays.

My family is back together.

Time to reflect. Time to volunteer.

Time to give back.

Time to vacation.

Time to clear one’s mind.

Time to heal.

I am going dark until the New Year. I am unplugging from you all.

No blogging.

No answering anyone’s emails at Washcaps or the TheWashwiz accounts.

If you have any venting or any requests or appeals or insults or immediate asks, they will have to be dealt with by somebody else for a week or so. :-)

Try to enjoy life this holiday season. You can do it.

My family isn’t exchanging gifts this holiday season. We have all that we need. We are supporting two charities instead with help and with monies. So many people and organizations need help – real help – and have real needs. Sometimes I lose sight of that by reading so many emails from the same people with the same issues over and over again. :-)

So it is time to chill. Time to reflect. Time to have some family fun. Time to give back. Time to show gratitude. Time for some privacy.

Happy holidays everyone.

37 thoughts on “Taking a Break”

  1. Ted, thanks for taking on the challenge of rebuilding the Wizards. We are with you through the highs and lows on the journey towards bringing a championship to DC

  2. Hope you & your Family has a great Holiday and were able to spend personal time with them! As you consider choosing your charities this year; please keep in mind those who serve our Country(see MajGen Chuck Yeager story below; improving the education of Young Children; and bringing awareness to those who Shake and Murder our children-www.ShakenBaby.com “Shifty” By Chuck Yeager (Chuck Yeager, MajGen. [ret.]
    We ‘re hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services. I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell “Shifty” Powers. Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them. I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was
    at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle,” the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat. Making conversation, I asked him if he d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made. Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 … ” at which point my heart skipped. At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.
    I told him “yes, I know exactly where Normandy is, and I know what D-Day was.” At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem .” I was standing with a genuine war hero … and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day. I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said “Yes. And it ‘ s real sad because, these days, so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart
    was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say. I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to
    get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach. He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and who still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this. Shifty died on June 17, 2009 after fighting cancer. There was no parade. No big event in Staples Center . No wall to wall back to back 24×7 news coverage. No weeping fans on television. And that’s not right. Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans. Rest in peace, Shifty.

    Chuck Yeager, MajGen. [ret.]
    P.S. I think that it is amazing how the “media” chooses our “heroes” these days…
    Michael Jackson & the like!

  4. Enjoy it! You really are such a breath of fresh air Mr. Leonsis. Thanks for giving us DC Fans something/someone to be proud of. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    - E

  5. #102 on your list. DC Revitalization version 2.0. Like Abe Pollen did over a decade ago by building the verizon center. You too can leave your mark by aquiring the old convention center land and building an arena that not only would house DC United and but more importantly give our National Mens and Womens soccer team a true national stadium to be proud of. Would love to discuss this after the holidays if possible!

    Thanks you for everything you have done for the area and many charities that you support.

  7. I hope that you and your family have the best of holidays. We’re looking forward to a victorius 2011.

  8. God bless you Mr Leonsis, your way of thinking is so refreshing. I have both your books and have followed your career and can tell you’re genuine in the things you say.I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday

  12. Good for you, Ted! We accepted your charity challenge a few years back and have been donating to our local food bank in lieu of gifts. It has been such a rewarding initiative for my family and my husband’s family. Thanks for all of your hard work on Washington’s behalf. Enjoy a well-deserved break!

  13. Good for you!!! Thanks for making yourself available and for all that you have done for Washington metro fans and their communities. Merry Christmas and here is to a great 2011!!!!!!

  14. Ted:

    Amen! Good words to live by – which I do every year during the holidays. It’s a good time to prepare for the coming year, review the year past, and especially remember those who are no longer with us – but I wish they were. Enjoy the time off.

  15. Ted,
    We are bessed to have you and your family in our sports lives, thank you for everything that you do!! Have a restful holiday and we’ll see you on the other side.

  17. Happy Holidays to you and your family. I like the idea of giving to charities instead of exchanging family gifts. Thanks for all you do! Enjoy your vacation – relax, reflex, and renew.

    Signed,

    Long-time Wiz Season Ticket holder

  19. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Mr. Leonsis! Enjoy your time away from the daily grind. You deserve it. Thanks for all that you do for DC sports!! GO CAPS

  20. Ted,

    Happy Hoilidays to you and your family. You deserve the quiet time and thank you and your family for helping those in need.

  21. Ted,

    Happy Holidays, thanks for everything you have done for D.C. sports. On behalf of all Redskins fans I asked Santa for you to get control of the Redskins so we can have hope for that franchise too!

  22. Ted

    I can honestly say there is a whole lot of people out here who have nothing but praise for you and all you do!!! Thank you and please enjoy your down time. You deserve it.

  23. Enjoy the time with your family. Love your gift thoughts My family has also agreed that our gift exchange will only be presents that have emotional/sentimental value, not financial value. Now it’s time to give more to the community.

  24. Merry Christmas and Best Wishes! Thanks for all you to make all of us proud to say we are Caps fans.

  25. *just learned on FB that friend and colleague Matthew Hemerline will be playing the national anthem at Wizards Game a week from today ;-j.)) Virtuoso
    Happy Holidays ;-j.))*

  27. Teddy, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas & a Happy Healthy New Year! God Bless us all! If you have the opportunity take a swim in the ocean and enjoy the waves!

  28. Thank you Ted. More than well deserved ;-j.))
    Please say hello to your lovely family and Mr. John Walsh if you happen to bump into him ;-j.)) Enjoy ;-j.)(

  31. Ted,

    Enjoy your time with your family. And you are absolutely right; it is a good time to reflect and give back. Thanks for all you do for the DC area! Go CAPS!

  32. You deserve a break. Thank you for being such an approachable owner who truly appears to care. Family should always come first so enjoy and treasure the memories you create.

  34. Ted,

    Enjoy the holidays. See you in Pittsburgh on Jan 1st. I am a Capitals season ticket holder….what is your email address that we can contact you with concerns…comments…or rather compliments.