Find the Joy
I spent part of yesterday talking with someone I love who just had a bone marrow transplant. He is in isolation . . . and at day 6, meaning the worst is yet to come. And so much of the battle is staying positive in the face of being alone, in the face of feeling pain. I sat on the phone trying to will some joy through the phone. And love. Lots of that. I am hoping he felt it.
So there I was after hanging up, needing to go somewhere alone and cry for a minute or two. And then exhale. Thanksgiving is over and now it's that insane dash to Christmas. Last year, I lost most of the season. Baby Girl had rheumatic fever. I had strep throat. I only sent Christmas cards to A-M. This year I'm starting at Z just in case.
Last year, I didn't hang lights. I was lucky I had a tree, and as it was, I decorated it about three days before the holiday and it was one of those Charlie Brown trees left after all the good ones are taken.
So it was yesterday, I was reminded to find the joy--and keep it this season.
That means writing something new. Returning to the Magickeepers, in Book II. It means hanging my lights this weekend, because there is nothing like white "twinkie" lights to make me smile. It means finding "just the right thing" for the people on my list--trying to spend less but still find something special. It means listening to this, 24/7. (And if you think I am kidding about 24/7, you have never spent the holiday season with me. Come on over--it'll be on!) It means gratitude.
So what will you do to find and keep the joy in this last slide of insanity before Christmas/Hanukah/New Year's?
24 comments:
Prayers for your friend.
Hi Jude:
Thanks. Hope you had a good turkey day.
E
I'm glad you can be there for your friend even if it's only by phone. Hope the transplant works! I understand it's very painful for the recipient, which makes me look oddly at people who ask me about the pain of donating. Never been called to do it, but I've been on the marrow donor list for a very long time.
This year, I am giving and giving and giving. At least that's the current plan. I plan on giving away everyone's gifts except for something small. There are too many people with nothing. Just talked to my mom and she said she would look for a family to adopt by her. I have gift cards for a store near her.
Sarah:
I sometimes do OxFam gifts. I feel like most of the people I know have everything they need, and OxFam does a lot of good.
E
I try not to get caught up in the craziness. I'm sure you know that Hanukkah is a very minor Jewish holiday, technically a "festival" and it gets the holiday hoopla because of the time of year and the presents. I like all the holiday happiness, the getting together with family and friends as we are luckily included in wonderful Christmas celebrations here and will be heading to family for part of winter break.
I try to focus on the fact that people are friendlier at this time of year, that twinkling lights make even drab malls look sparkly and new and make shacks look like castles.
Magical - the whole season. No matter what you believe or celebrate. I just try to soak it in and enjoy.
And be grateful, as always, that I get to be here for it all.
In my family we're coming up to the anniversary of the death of my children's father. It colors the season with sadness, yet reminds me there is still much joy for us all.
I'm generally happy if I survive the silly season without going crazy, so I'll just try to stay in the moment and not fight it. I'm actually getting better at that than I used to. Guess I'm just keeping my expectations realistic.
Amy:
I, too, like that people are a little friendlier--wishing you a happy holidays and so on. When I do shop, I try to go out of my way to be extra nice, knowing some are stressed. I like the carols playing in the car. The oohs and aahs of houses lit up at night and the kids seeing that.
E
mark:
For whatever reason, the holidays are often a really bad time of year for me. When I got my Crohn's disease diagnosis--and nearly died in the process--it was December 1 or thereabouts. And it seemed like every year I would get sick over the holidays and I would miss most of them. The past two years I have been in remission (knock wood)--but that last year Baby Girl was sick. So THIS year, I am so hoping to have a nice one--but a relaxing one!!! If that's even possible.
E
Do all my Christmas shopping online.
This is the easiest time of year for me to keep my sanity, LOL. My niece can light up my whole world with a burp, but after Glenn and the cats, it would have to be the Christmas lights.
I would keep Christmas lights up all year long, if I could. Even when my whole body hurts (as I seem to be having a relapse, sigh), even when the students have drained every last bit of whatever it is they draw from teachers, I can refill just by staring at the Christmas lights. I stand at the front door, hand pressed to the glass, staring at the Christmas lights for HOURS.
Zoe:
I am trying to do more online than usual.
E
Spy:
You SHOULD keep them up all the year if it makes you that happy!!!!
:-)
E
Now that's a great album! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! My sister-in-law had a bone marrow transplant earlier this year. She is cancer free now but is now having host graft disease. It's a difficult road to recovery. My prayers for your friend.
Our kids are coming home for Christmas (at least for a few days). I expect to find the joy in that.
I'm looking forward to what I take to be the first Magickeepers book. I looked it up on Amazon and found it available for pre-order. It will be fun to read your writing.
Hi Ello:
His donor was his sister. I am really hoping he doesn't get that.
Hope your sis-in-law does well, too.
E
Hi Joe:
Thanks!
And have a wonderful holiday season!
E
Prayers for everyone who needs it. Erica, this includes you family, that you have a healthy Christmas.
Maybe because I'm Jewish (though I don't practice the religion), Christmas is a fun, play holiday for me. I'd like to keep lights on all year round. Like a Chinese restaurants we used to go to. The cat likes hiding beneath the tree, so it would be a win for her too.
Hi Erica,
I just wanted to clarify that it wasn't a rejection for me but for someone else's manuscript. H/S had put it in my self-addressed envelope. Maybe that person has my letter.
Sending prayers and healing thoughts to your friend.
Christmas always seems like work and stress.
My favorite holiday is Halloween. It's the perfect holiday if you ask me. Dress as you want, throw candy at people and you can yell BOO! at everyone and people don't think you,re strange.
:)
That makes me happy!
Edie:
You know . . . I had a Jewish neighbor who just got so into the lights and everything, but none of the madness. A fun way to approach it.
E
Suzanne:
Maybe YOUR letter is an acceptance. :-)
E
Aimless:
That's my best friend's favorite holiday. I love it, too. I was a cat this year.
E
FF here. If you keep your Christmas lights up all year, it goes from being magic to be mundane. Of course, that's just my opinion. :-)
FF:
I strung my first tree!
Maybe you're right. Though my mom hung white Christmas lights all year long and never got tired of it. :-)
E
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