Christmas

I was hoping to have some pictures to post with this from Christmas, but they are on Jay's camera and Audrey's camera and I need to get them.  I will post them soon hopefully. 

We had a really nice Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We went to mass at 3pm.  The church was just beautiful and so filled with people that even though we got there 25 minutes early, it was already standing room only!  We ended up sitting behind the alter in seats they reserve for the choir ( I guess..).  The kids were fairly well behaved thanks to some goldfish and the promise of using their flashlights at the end during Silent Night.  After church we went to Jay's parents and saw  his brother and sisters and their spouses, and all of our nephews.  We enjoyed watching them open presents and play.

Christmas morning James and Katie were so excited to see what Santa had brought them.  It is was wonderful to see the magic of the season in their eyes.  It was also touching to me that James was more excited to give us his presents than to open his own.  That makes my heart happy.   We had monkey bread for breakfast (yum!) and then got ready to go to my parents house.  We had such a nice time with my parents, my grandparents and my brother and his wife and my nieces.  We had a nice meal, opened presents, and the kids played nicely.  Katie loved playing the organ and then after she opened the guitar from Rob and Audrey she jammed out the rest of the night.  This kid has a musical future I think!  We had a bit of a scare as my grandfather fell in the house, but after a trip to the ER it was just a concussion and nothing more serious.  Thank God.  The kids are still talking about how great papa fell and bumped his head. 

It was a wonderful Christmas and I am fortunate that I got to spend it with so many wonderful people.  I am also fortunate that the worst chemo was behind me so I could enjoy the holiday and not feel so sick.  It was quite a change from last Christmas and I look forward to next Christmas as by then my journey will be complete and I should be all healed. 

I went to church the following Sunday after Christmas, lot less crowded of course, and I went by myself.  It was so nice to just take in the beauty of the church, it was really decorated so nicely for Christmas.  It was nice to just sit and reflect, and thank God for all the positives he put in my life this year.  Carrying me through this journey, helping me discover the cancer before it spread anywhere else, and opening the hearts of others to be so kind and generous to me and my family.  Not a week has gone by since my diagnosis that someone hasn't done something nice for me.  A meal, a card, a phone call, or a kind note.  I thank you all for your love and support.  The New Year has some hurdles for me to jump over, but the worst is over.  Thank you!