It’s strange to me that Christmas is in less than a week.
I think we’re reached my least favorite time of year because it feels like everything exists in some sort of time warp during the last leg of the holidays.
I’m not even including Mike’s broken shoulder in these perceptions either!
We’re still not sure what his recovery progress is, but are making sure we follow his doctor’s orders all the same.
The goal is to know more in a few more weeks and then evaluate if he has to do physical therapy or not.
Regardless of that situation, my internal clock seems to not be in line with the rest of the household.
We’re not even going to touch the subject of weathering the hustle and bustle of anything outside the Reddell homestead.
On one hand, it makes the days fly by, but on the other it also makes it hard to estimate free time or availability for things outside of work.
I’m not sure if I’m the only one feeling this way, but I am hoping that by the time we’re celebrating Christmas as a family then I’ll be able to fully enjoy it.
Outside of all of that, I’m grateful that my sister Ashlee was able to extend her stay to help coordinate our seasonal traditions, while I took the lead and made sure I covered as many community events as possible.
Christmas Eve falls on Tuesday this year with the monumental Christmas Day on Wednesday – something I found out hadn’t happened since 2019.
I don’t know about you dear reader, but my 2019 wasn’t that stellar due to COVID-19 ruining everything from highly anticipated movie releases and local fundraisers to graduation plans and even hampering our newspaper coverage.
Not to mention that 2020 wasn’t much better either.
Still, Ashlee and I have decided to get our updated COVID booster vaccines along with this year’s flu dose.
We’d rather have sore arms than run the risk of compounding our complicated status right now by getting sick.
But, as always, when the times got rough or hard during 2019, we brainstormed and shared the load as a family.
I suppose that’s the main point of Christmas, isn’t it?
Family is the best gift anyone could ask for and has such a varied definition.
It’s worth noting that “family” has acquired a broad definition and can mean a multitude of things nowadays.
I’m of the firm belief that “family” can be just a person and their pets, a group of friends, single parents, or grandparents raising grandchildren – however, you want to count your family and its members is up to you.
For example, I have two specific family groups – my immediate family and friends that I have a strong bond with.
Both family groups are made up of people I love dearly and value in my life.
Plus, they share the same sentiments for me – or, well, at least I hope so!
Despite all of that, without my family groups I don’t think I would have made it through 2019, the Covid pandemic, other medical emergencies, or any other crises that came my way.
My family is the greatest gift I’ve ever received and I wish you all the best with yours.
Have a Merry Christmas everyone and be safe!
