A Christmas Wish...

This has truly been the craziest month of my life; I have no idea where the last four weeks have gone. It doesn't feel like a month since I last posted here. I am sorry for that, but sometimes life (or should I say God?) has a way of putting things into perspective for you since we are sometimes too slow to see it for ourselves.

Here is my month in a nutshell...We spent some time at doctors offices for my son, which turned out to be an issue with his heart. The problem, according to the cardiologist, is actually quite normal, and it is his heart's way of saying to him "Hey slow down buddy, I can't keep up!" So when he goes through a major growth spurt (almost 2 inches in three months) his heart doesn't keep up. So we are treating it as such, and now we know the warning signs.

About two weeks ago, my brother-in-law was admitted to the hospital with a strange illness. FOUR days after being admitted, they diagnosed him with Toxic Shock Syndrome, which apparently can be contracted from someone carrying Streptococcus (yes, that is the same bacteria that causes Strep throat). He has no idea how he got it, but after being misdiagnosed a few times his kidneys and liver were in failure and his lungs and heart were also in danger. This being my husband's only brother, he was with him for much of his hospital stay.

Finally, my father had surgery last week and will again next week, so no visits from the grands as expected, and it wasn't feeling like much of a Merry Christmas around here. The holidays aren't the same without any family around.

Add to all of this the current state of our economy, pending unmeployment for friends, the sadness of others as they lose loved ones, and still others who find themselves amidst a bitter divorce - the world is not looking very "glee"ful and that Norman Rockwell Christmas picture seems very different from the one I am actually experiencing. Now wonder there is do much depression in this country!

Now don't get me wrong, there were many good things about this past month too, like my son's optimistic diagnosis, craft night with the girls, Christmas decorations and music, my kids with their very own tree and hanging their "special" ornaments, my son's Christmas pageant, and of course the yumminess of Christmas cookies. And you know what I realized today, it is what we (I) make it! If I want to wallow, well my holiday will be less than memorable. But if I make the decision to rejoice in everything I have and relish the joy on my children's faces when Rudolph plays for the 300th time on the radio, then my children will see how we can come through tough times with smiling faces.

So, I don't know about you, but I am ready to say Goodbye 2008! Hello 2009; may you be a better year for EVERYONE!

Merry Christmas! I wish you all a fabulous holiday, and most of all good health in 2009!