My idea of Christmas, whether old fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.
Bob Hope
Feeling so much better. The flu turned into a full fledged pneumonia (a tendency this body has lately as it ages) and I experienced a few days where I was struggling for breath. Even though my sats were dropping into the 80's I was refusing to go in. (Do not recommend that choice of avoiding ER for anyone!!). On Christmas morning, I accessed the provincial evist site again and was so fortunate to connect with an NP that was able to prescibe a short term steroid and an antibiotic very effective for pneumonia. (I didn't tell her about my sats because she would have been obligated to send me into ER...my bad!) The steroids made me feel like I was better before I was lol as well as making me feel like the "Energizer Bunny", but within two days I felt I could breathe normally, the cough changed to one that sounded like music to my ears (the congestion began to move around more easily in my lungs), and I felt sooooo much better. I was a new person. I continue to feel better though I still cough and have to carry a box of kleenex around with me everywhere...but I can breathe!! So, so grateful for that.
So, Christmas was experienced through the veil of illness by this body and mind. I am grateful for that too. I am grateful for how I approached this over promoted season. Finally...finally there were no expectations or demands that this season be a certain way. This, I was hoping, would benefit my loved ones who "suffer" though Christmas expectations. This season has not been something they enjoyed for many years. In fact, it is a season they dread...because it poses a great risk. I accept that now...I do not resist it or say that it should not be. Their depression is worse at Christmas. I watch them closely.
I also...finally...after so many years of saying I was going to do it...made it a no gift Christmas. I expressed that I would not be giving gifts or receiving them this year. This relieved so much pressure for me and everyone in my household. We decided to do a charity game night. I will make my turkey tonight...and we will have a yankee swap where each person buys a small gift bag with a dollar store item in it from me. They will sign up for a charity of their choice...and they can swap from others or from what is left on the table. We will play games and the winners will receive another bag. In one of the bags is a lil Christmas tree...bags are opened at the end of the night. Whoever has the tree ...wins for their charity. The money earned goes to that charity and I will do my best to match those earnings or at least half match. :) Now, this is what I have been wanting to do every Christamas. This is the stripped- down-from-expectation 'real' verson of Christmas I have been longing for.
Looking forward to it.
All is well!
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