Lets get something straight before I start to befuddle you with misery. I had a fantastic Christmas. In fact one of the best Christmas years to date... Oh sure I was sad about all the losses in 2008, my family and I have had a total of 3 family members die and a long time friend Marilyn Seeley. Got word that a dear neighbor passed away while giving birth to a baby boy (who by the way is healthy and doing well with his father). And our life long friend Deanna had a stroke two weeks ago but is recovering quite well at home with her family. We are waist deep in the world of medical miracles, five months into our lung transplant journey. We lost pets to Cancer, struggled financially too. But you know what? We still had one of the best Christmas seasons ever. And I can tell you without a doubt why...
We enjoyed the company of each other. We hugged frequently, we sang, we danced, we cooked together. We laughed and cried together, we went sledding together. We watched movies together and created crafts and music for each other. And by golly, if the powers that be think they are gonna come down and swoop up the last slice of joy we have. They are sadly mistaken because no matter what may be in store for us good or bad, there is one thing that can never be taken away. That one thing is our happy memories, the ones that have already happened. I believe that nothing can destroy what has already happened. It is forever recorded in time and so we have left our signature on the waves of time. Yes, I have much to be grateful for, the smiles and giggles of my children, the cold, glorious fresh breath I felt Christmas morning when I stepped out onto my porch to look at the white snow everywhere... The smile my daughter gives to me the moment just before she hugs me and says "I love you daddy" The way my boys explain to me how things work, how Santa magically soars through the atmosphere to bring all the boys and girls their presents. "It's not so amazing" they say to me, "It's just magic dad!". The rabbit who has been living in our serene undisturbed back yard. It's completely fenced in and with lock on the gate I won't even go into my back yard now because there is a rabbit there. I want the rabbit to feel totally safe and know that no dog or human will harm him. He or she is welcome to stay as long as they want. Or at least till spring when I start turning the earth to make my garden in 2009.
Thanks to noradsanta.com and santa's live webcams we were able to rekindle our kids Christmas spirit. The santa side of it anyhow... When they get a little older that is when I will explain the other side to it, the less magical side, the more realistic side of it.
We talked about the homeless with our kids, asked them to remember them each year as they enjoy their Christmas meals. "It will help put it into perspective for you" I say to them. "You'll understand just how it is to be grateful for something, when you can see that someone else clearly does not have the same simple pleasures that you do" Compassion is something that I hold high on my list of priorities. I believe I am a compassionate person, and I want my kids to be twice as compassionate as I am.
So all in all I guess the message here is that we are doing alright despite the constant words of sympathy I receive almost daily. People who know our story seem to feel sorry for us, but they really should not. People who tell me they can't believe that we are going through so much say they are not sure they could do it themselves. Well I say "bring it on", we are ready. And if the religious texts are right then God will not give me more than we can handle. I have to believe that in some complex plan that I do not yet understand, I am a part of a master plan that is perfect in every way.
All the best to each and every one of you in 2009 and beyond!
No comments:
Post a Comment