Why Being Sick at Christmas Rocks!

I wrote the title … and then, when I came back to it, realized that it doesn’t really rock at all.

I realized that there were a few good things for me, personally, about being sick over Christmas.  I realized that for so many, around the globe … being sick is never a good thing.

This was the first Christmas of my son’s life that we haven’t been together for Christmas Day.  I am glad that I saw him just this past weekend, and I look forward to seeing him again very soon.  It was hard.  I didn’t like it … but I found lots to be thankful for.  So very much!

Being sick at Christmas doesn’t rock … but it might sway, or vibrate a little, how about that?  Here’s why …

1. I was forced to rest.  After a long period of pushing myself pretty hard.  I just rested, for 2 1/2 days … and it felt good.

2. I ate healthy food.  I realize that I am so fortunate to have food, good quality food, right here at the house.  My husband was so sweet to prepare good meals for me, and take good care of me.  I’m so very grateful.

3. (This is the one that provoked the post) I spent alot of time thinking about other people who have lost precious ones they most love.  Those who spent Christmas alone, cold, hungry, heartbroken, grief-stricken, traumatized.  Those whose world has been so disrupted that they didn’t even know it was Christmas.  How lucky am I?

Each time I began to feel a teensie bit sorry that I couldn’t be with my family on the very day of Christmas … I reminded myself how very lucky I was to have just left mom and dads house on Sunday with the intention of coming back for Christmas, not knowing I’d be too sick to return for Christmas Day.  I had just spent time with them, and with my son, too.  They are there, safe and sound and well.  That is really all I could ever ask for … ever!

They were only a phone call away, and we spoke several times during the day.  Mom called to find out about a package I’d left under the tree.  They didn’t know who it was for.  It was for her.  I asked her to open it while we were on the phone.  It was a June Rollins CD about Alcohol Inks, a lovely series of art lessons.  The inks were under the tree, as well, but she hadn’t opened them yet, so she didn’t know what the CD was about.

Mom opened the CD and said “Oh, alchoholic links, well … I don’t think this is for me.  I think this is the wrong thing.” “Alcohol INKS” I said.  “Well, it says alcoholic links, make your dreams come true with alcoholic links … ”

At this point I could hardly talk from laughing and coughing … “Alcohol INKS, it’s an art CD!”

“Well, I think they sent you the wrong thing.  I did have a little sherry earlier, but I don’t think this is what you meant to send me!”

I was cackling by now … and so was everyone on her end of the phone.

One of my sisters, who was there with her, said “Mom, it says ALCOHOL INKS!”

“OH” … she cracked up … and we were all having a good Christmas laugh!

In that thirty seconds, the coughing didn’t matter, and the aches were gone.  I knew they were having fun together, and that I could just rest for the rest of the afternoon.

Okay, that part rocked!

And I realized that Christmas is just another day (sorry … I don’t mean it that way) … but we can make it mayhem or full of peace.  We can fill it with expectations or with simple moments of laughter and love.  It isn’t about presents, it isn’t about what a grand feast we can conjure up.  It’s about people we love, and remembering that two thousand years ago a virgin girl gave birth to a baby whom she’d quickly learn to let go of.  She’d quickly learn that he was a gift to everyone, and that getting out of sorts when she couldn’t be with him was not part of the plan.

Be kind, give love, share a hug … and even if this is the worst holiday you’ve ever had … I pray you’ll find a little bit of something that ‘rocks’ in it.

Love to you!