Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays is such a watered down way of wishing you a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hannukah, don't you think? I remember, oh, so many years ago, when I was taking my Massage Licensing Course, that I wished a classmate Merry Christmas, and he said, "You know I'm Jewish, don't you?" Well, no, I didn't know that, so I wished him a Happy Hannukah instead. Then we had to laugh - because by that time, Hannukah was over. He never said anything about it, so how was I to know? Also, for our christmas party, he made the best (meaning strongest) eggnog I've ever had. I still have the recipe somewhere, it was complete with raw eggs and at least three different kinds of alcohol. Merry Christmas, indeed.
For the last several years, we haven't done much to celebrate Christmas. I think we stopped putting up a tree when my parents died. They each took their downturn around the holidays, and died one in January, and the other in February three years later. That was eleven years ago that my Mother died. It is really hard to believe it's been that long.
So much has changed since then: my "position was eliminated" from the MS Society the following July, and I haven't worked since; DH started his own private counseling practice instead of getting work with an agency and that faltered, obviously. You can't just build up a practice by working out of your home, and ot doing anything else to get your name out there. Alas, water under the bridge. His degree is virtually worthless now. It's no wonder he's depressed. My health has turned South and decided to head for Antarctica. I figure I am somewhere in Uruguay by now. Oh well, I'm glad they're not around to see the slow decline... being there for the diagnosis and the first three awful years was hard enough, I am just glad that they witnessed the reversal of all of that, and that I got out of my wheelchair, and that it became an "invisible" disability, and that I got married. I knew they were concerned that I would be alone with this. But I am not... not really.
However, I do believe that having MS is a solitary trip one makes, no matter how many friends and family members are by your side. It is a trip you take by yourself. But I digress.
This year one of my brothers is walking away from his house. He was in the process of declaring bankruptcy, but that was dismissed. Now, being a realtor, and a broker, he is trying to arrange a reverse mortgage so he can move into a nice home. I think he's stupid for trying to move into such a big two storey place, beautiful that it is. I think he would be better suited, at age 72, with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy in both his hands and his legs, to move into a more humble house. His wife is 78, and has health issues of her own. What they are planning is a pipe dream. So, call me a grinch, but I am hoping that his financing package doesn't work out. His planned moving-out day is the 11th, and they will come to stay with us temporarily. I am happy to be able to help, but it is going to be, in a word, interesting.
For one thing, they want to keep this a secret. I talk to my other brother and to my cousin and niece on occasion, so it puts me in a position to lie; And I don't like it. Why the secrecy? I think it is because he's embarrassed. The thing is, there are no judgments here. Life happens, you know? In this economy, people are walking away from their homes every day. Literally. Every day.
So, my brother and sister-in-law are coming to stay with us. This should be a really interesting chapter in our lives.
Good Night, TTYL, and Be Well,
For the last several years, we haven't done much to celebrate Christmas. I think we stopped putting up a tree when my parents died. They each took their downturn around the holidays, and died one in January, and the other in February three years later. That was eleven years ago that my Mother died. It is really hard to believe it's been that long.
So much has changed since then: my "position was eliminated" from the MS Society the following July, and I haven't worked since; DH started his own private counseling practice instead of getting work with an agency and that faltered, obviously. You can't just build up a practice by working out of your home, and ot doing anything else to get your name out there. Alas, water under the bridge. His degree is virtually worthless now. It's no wonder he's depressed. My health has turned South and decided to head for Antarctica. I figure I am somewhere in Uruguay by now. Oh well, I'm glad they're not around to see the slow decline... being there for the diagnosis and the first three awful years was hard enough, I am just glad that they witnessed the reversal of all of that, and that I got out of my wheelchair, and that it became an "invisible" disability, and that I got married. I knew they were concerned that I would be alone with this. But I am not... not really.
However, I do believe that having MS is a solitary trip one makes, no matter how many friends and family members are by your side. It is a trip you take by yourself. But I digress.
This year one of my brothers is walking away from his house. He was in the process of declaring bankruptcy, but that was dismissed. Now, being a realtor, and a broker, he is trying to arrange a reverse mortgage so he can move into a nice home. I think he's stupid for trying to move into such a big two storey place, beautiful that it is. I think he would be better suited, at age 72, with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy in both his hands and his legs, to move into a more humble house. His wife is 78, and has health issues of her own. What they are planning is a pipe dream. So, call me a grinch, but I am hoping that his financing package doesn't work out. His planned moving-out day is the 11th, and they will come to stay with us temporarily. I am happy to be able to help, but it is going to be, in a word, interesting.
For one thing, they want to keep this a secret. I talk to my other brother and to my cousin and niece on occasion, so it puts me in a position to lie; And I don't like it. Why the secrecy? I think it is because he's embarrassed. The thing is, there are no judgments here. Life happens, you know? In this economy, people are walking away from their homes every day. Literally. Every day.
So, my brother and sister-in-law are coming to stay with us. This should be a really interesting chapter in our lives.
Good Night, TTYL, and Be Well,
Wow, what an avalanche of stuff for this time of year for you!
ReplyDeleteI know from experience that the memories of loss around the holidays seem to hurt more than memories of similar events during other times of the year.
(((hugs)))
As for wishing Merry Christmas or other things? I figure the INTENTIONS of the person are the point, and I appreciate whatever good sentiments people toss out there. And I say, "Thank you, you too!"
Too much ugly in the world not to appreciate the pretty.
Hope the brother situation doesn't drive you insane.
I like what you said about MS: "MS is a solitary trip one makes, no matter how many friends and family members are by your side. It is a trip you take by yourself."
ReplyDeleteYou can say the same thing about Grief. Two lonely roads to be on.
You are right though.
I hope he doesn't regret the stairs...
Well, I say Merry Christmas, unless I know for sure the religious affiliation of the person I am talking to.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that MS is a solitary journey.
Hope things go well with your house guests.
Yes, MS is a solitary journey - but look how many wonderful people are on that road with us. I am really torn here. It is a solitary and often lonely trip we are on, but there are also a lot of people we can turn to who know exactly where we are coming from.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your houseguests. Sending lots of good wishes for the holiday season - regardless of what it is called.
Sorry for the looooong comment.
Oh boy, having them come stay is going to be an adventure! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for mentioning our ornaments on your blog! So appreciated!
Best,
ATM
The Holidays do tend to amplify emotions and memories. Very true about the solitary journey not necessarily a lonely one for everyone but solitary well put.
ReplyDeleteAmi, I agree, Intentions are everything. It's a lot of stuff going on here - but the only thing I am really concerned with is my procrastination getting ready for a party next week, and that my MS feels like it is worsening and my neuro has once again rescheduled my appt.
ReplyDeleteSo, one day at a time - and breathe. or better put: Halt. Stop. Forget. Relax.
Sherry, believe me, if he gets the stairs, he will come to regret them.
You're welcome, Attila. Turns out your craft fair did the trick for you this year. I guess you had better get started earlier next year, while retro is still popular. But yours are so much better than the ones I remember from the, was it the 60's or 70's???
All you others, yes - a solitary journey, but one without which we would never have met each other as TEC said.
Blessings, everyone, from whomever you want them.
Merry Christmas...I still say it...you have a funny story with happy holidays.
ReplyDeleteTemporary company, I hope it works out for yall but it will not be easy.
Wow, your plate is full!
ReplyDeleteI live in Los Angeles where we have a large mix-ed religion population so I take the easy way out and usually say "Happy Holidays" but in the past few year there's always been a few people, usually people I hardly know, that give me a bad time for not saying "Christmas". I celebrate Hanukah but that doesn't seem to matter.... So I just let it go and try to stay in the spirit of things.
Coping with a difficult illness is not easy-- I take my hat off to you and hope MS treats you kindly.
Good luck with your new roommates. I'm sure it will make for interesting blog fodder.
Merry Christmas, jj
I have a friend with MS, so I can understand you in a way.
ReplyDeleteYou must be a very strong person.
I hope you'll be one of the winners of my doodle calendar. :)
Have a wonderful Christmas!