Hi Everyone! Hope this finds you well on this first night of Hanukkah and Christmas Eve. I was not sure I would have time tomorrow to put together a blog so I decided to put it together tonight. The sky is clear after a day of mostly rain and I could see a little glazing on the path as I walked Lady. I will definitely need to be cautious when we head out for our last walk of the night in a bit.
It was a week of highs and lows as I'm sure many of you might have experienced as well. I went to a memorial service for my father's cousin whom we have not seen in almost 25 years. Although it was sad in many ways, we know he is at peace and in no pain. It was also a time to re-connect with his brothers and meet cousins I have never met before. I did have a few laughs when one of them looked at me and said: "didn't you use to have red hair?" We are all so much older! The long ride to the service and back gave my sister and I a chance to talk about a lot of things which is something we hardly ever have a chance to do without children around.
I am truly blessed in so many ways. I have friends that sent me fabulous presents and care packages for the holiday. I have not opened everything yet - I do like to wait for Christmas Day. I am a bit under the weather, but having a hot toddy and some of treats I received hit all the right spots!
Papa had a good report from the doctor the other day which made our week. He is working hard at physical therapy and even completed a short walk with Lady. He has a month or so of physical therapy so perhaps he will graduate from a walker to cane for short trips. Papa is going to cook the Christmas ham in the morning to be sure that everything is done the way he wants. I can't wait to hear the clanging and banging at o'dark thirty when he gets up. I tried to pre-plan and got the pans out that he would want to use, but we'll see. Oh well, I can pretend it's Santa rummaging around.
Mema overall had a good week. She loves to sit and observe although she is no able to remember the names of the staff most of the time she remembers faces. When she lights up, my heart glows. Many times, she'll ask me who's that walking by or why are you talking to them? She eats, but mainly because we are there making sure she eats.
As this is the time of year for reflection, I answered a question tonight on FB and thought I would put it here as something for you to think about - if you feel like posting a response, please feel free. What accomplishment means the most to you from 2016? My response: "My decision to stay with my elderly father so he can stay as independent as possible. It has meant my life in another state has been put on hold for a while, but in terms of the bigger picture what is needed at the moment."
This past year has been a time of letting go of "my" expectations and more trying to live in the moment. I won't say I'm good at either one, but I will continue to try in the new year. I have to keep remembering that others may not be on the same page as I am.
It's been great today in a FB group I follow to see lots of positive stories about paying it forward. Quite a few people bought meals or lots of coffee for folks and most anonymously. Love good news stories especially when many days it feels like nothing but bad news abounds.
Did not finish any books this week although I did get quite a few pages read while waiting for papa.
I am going to leave it here for tonight. I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and/or Happy Hanukkah. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." – George Bernard Shaw.
"The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be.." – Marcel Pagnol.
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself." - Harvey Fierstein