With Covid finally over I was looking forward to the first “normal” Christmas in 3 years. We spend Christmas Eve with my in laws and Christmas Day with my Mom’s side of the family.
We were looking forward to heading to my in laws Saturday and about 15 minutes into our 45 minute trip Shane begins vomiting in the car. Great. So we turn around and head home and miss out on the family gathering. (The good news is we are rescheduling to New Years Day.)
We thought it best to stay home for the day so we don’t bring anything to my in laws. Shane was fine after spending most of the day sleeping and we escaped without too much damage.
Christmas Day we head to my aunt and uncles house who literally live less than 5 minutes away which is extremely convenient. It’s just us, my dad, brother and aunt and uncle and was perfect. We exchanged gifts, enjoyed a delicious Christmas dinner and hung out. I was pretty tired but pushed through and even outlasted my husband who passed out in a chair with Bryce towards the end of the night.
We didn’t have matching outfits and I forgot to get photos of the family at my aunt and uncles and of them opening presents but that’s ok. I focused on enjoying the moment and being with family. Last year at this time I had just completed my second chemo treatment, my hair was starting to fall out and I was terrified of how this would all go.
This year I’m here and healthy minus reconstruction complications and have a healthy baby boy to celebrate with. I get to be together with family and we are all here and heathy and that’s all that mattered.
Whether we had matching outfits, the latest toys, the perfect letter and food out for Santa on Christmas Eve didn’t matter. I am here and get to enjoy my kids and their excitement of the magic of Christmas.
I have so much to be grateful for this year more than ever. The holiday which was my Mom’s favorite is still hard without her but I try my best to carry on most of what she did for us. Admittedly I can’t pull off the amazing gift swap game she would organize every year but maybe when the kids are older I’ll figure it out!
And so even without her with us, she lives on with our traditions and through her grandkids. I’m still quite tired from my surgery last week and would like a little more energy than I currently have but that will come as I heal. I had a great holiday with my family who are all that matter. As the saying goes, family is everything and that was true this holiday as it is true every year and holiday. Even with a change in Christmas Eve plans, things all worked out. And I focused on what really mattered and the magic of the holiday.
#keepingperspective #familyiseverything #themagicoftheholiday #breastcancersurvivor #focusonwhatmatters
