My family has a hard time with Christmas. Many of our tragedies have fallen in the weeks around Christmas, including the deaths or death sentences of three of my four grandparents. My beloved last-living grandmother used to live with us, and for the last few years her presence gave us a renewed sense of holiday zeal, but she is in a nursing home now -- she has Alzheimer's; we could no longer care for her -- and we can hardly manage to scrape up a teaspoon of holiday cheer between the four of us. My parents are depressed, and their depression is depressing. My brother isn't talking much, and I spend too much time abed to be happy for everyone.
Tomorrow we leave to visit my grandmother for a few days. I expect a painfully forced lot of happiness from us for her. It is always heartbreaking and wonderful to see her, both at once. The word "bittersweet" was invented for Alzheimer's patients.
My teacher sent me this Christmas wish, the best I have ever gotten, and I hope the same for everyone else:
I hope you have a good day in which you can appreciate breath.
2 comments:
Oh, Sweetie. I, too, wish the best you can do under the circumstances. I'm sending you a little burst of peace. Hold still for a second and see if you can feel it...
love,
-Chili
Wow, and I thought my holidays were bad.
Hang in there.
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