You might be ready to move on from Christmas. You might be tired of hearing about everyone's Christmas. But, finally, here is my Christmas post, typed with prune-y fingertips, dripping with anti-bacterial 409 spray.
Because I need Christmas closure.
I don't remember ever being so excited about Christmas before this December. There's something magical about anticipating the season with your child. We listened to Bing Crosby, Jimmy Mathis and Sarah Mclachlan throughout the day. We watched Rudolph, Charlie Brown and Buddy the Elf at night. We drank way too many cups of hot chocolate at all hours. We made ornaments and colored Christmas trees.
And when we woke on Christmas Eve, the Great Sickness hit. Madeline and I were out for the count while Joe spent the day taking care of us. The good news was it didn't last longer than a day.
But there was bad news. When we became better, Joe got sick. And when he became better, then I got sick again. Are you noticing a pattern?
We didn't leave the house until Saturday and that was just for a quick drive so I could be assured that life really does exist beyond the petri dish we call home.
While Joe and I celebrated Christmas morning with Madeline, Lysol bottles and vomit buckets, I feel like we missed Christmas. When your immediate families include four parents, 12 siblings and one stinking cute nephew, a Christmas morning of three feels... odd.
The constant nausea didn't help, either.
A quick word to ABC, CBS and NBC executives: On Dec. 25, 2009, can you please run Christmas movies and Christmas specials? You might think this is crazy, but some people don't have cable and can only watch your networks. And if these people get sick on Christmas day, they will turn on the TV, desperate for some Christmas cheer. Sadly, these poor souls will be crushed to discover you are airing regular programming including The Young and the Restless and Montel. Please amend. Thank you.
Anyways, the Great Sickness did force me to discover the unanticipated joys of Christmas day.
While I was looking forward to my mom's Christmas dinner, instead, I got to watch Madeline's new skip as she runs.
Instead of opening gifts with my in-laws, I got to quietly marvel at Madeline's happiness to finally touch the presents under the tree and carefully peel back the wrapping paper.
While I normally am so thankful for a large family to celebrate with, I was thanking Jesus for a tender and thoughtful husband who never complained while taking care of his sick and very whiny wife.
Instead of listening to a fire crackling, I heard Madeline call out for me when I quarantined myself in the bedroom and finally heard "Mama" instead of "Katie" which she's done for the last couple of weeks.
Finally, finally, we were back to normal and visited our families on Sunday. Madeline was thrilled to see people other than Joe and me. And if this picture isn't the epitome of a child's excitement after opening a wonderful gift, I'm not sure what is.
So if you drop by to find me still listening to Bing, Jimmy and Sarah and smell disinfectant in the air, you'll know why.
I know I need to move on but I just don't believe Christmas has come and gone already. So I'm off to fix another cup of hot chocolate and watch A Very Merry Pooh Christmas.
6 comments:
I would totally redo Christmas with you. :) To me Christmas should be all year round!
I am so sorry you all were so sick---but glad I got to see you briefly and it's not long until we see each other again.
Oh so sorry to hear you all were sick over Christmas. By all means continue the celebration. You deserve it! Wishing you a healthy start to the new year!
I thought your site was pretty quiet ... glad you're feeling better! Happy new year!
Oh, I have been there...only it was all five of us (at the time) that were sick on Christmas. We made no dinner, and the kids we not even that thrilled as they opened their gifts. It really sucked, thank you very much.
I am still enjoying the Christmas spirit, and refuse to remove my stuff until the epiphany. Period. I'll celebrate with you!
Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry all three of you were so sick!! That makes me so sad!! I hope you're all doing better now! Hey, whenever you and Madeline are feeling up to it, we'll redo Christmas at my house!! We'll get out the Christmas movies, music, hot chocolate, cookies, and i'll put up one of our little fake trees! I hope you had a better New Year!!!
sorry to hear you were sick, but glad you got to appreciate the little things....
I missed your blog updates! glad you are feeling better.
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