Merry Christmas

Yes, you read that right!  Today we celebrated the Jasmin family Christmas.  The Christmas we postponed while Mom was still sick.  Mom was in Linda Manor on Christmas day and we said we would celebrate when she got home.  At that time, we thought Martin Luther King weekend in January was a reasonable target.  But that date came and went.  When Mom came home on January 29th, she was not medically or physically ready, but mentally we all knew this is what she needed.  So any plans for Christmas were still on hold.  Wrapped gifts sat in piles at Mom's and at each of our homes, waiting and praying that we would be able to celebrate together.  The thought of exchanging gifts, gifts Mom had bought for each of us, without her did cross my mind and the thought was heartbreaking.

So in mid-February when Mom, through the grace of God, turned the corner and got stronger and more independent with every day, she announced we were celebrating Christmas.  Part of her reasoning was that she wanted to do it while she was "feeling good".  As she stated, "God has a funny sense of humor, so while I'm feeling good, let's get this done!"

She picked March 7th and, after confirming all required family and friends were available, declared it Christmas Day!  Friday night before (aka Christmas Eve) we got Mom's artificial tree out of the attic and put that up.  No decorations other than the lights and it warmed Mom's heart!

It was a great day!!  We all brought food and we spent the day together, exchanging our gifts that were bought many months earlier.  Some of them we got quite a laugh out of--the Christmas ornaments to hang on our tree, the 2015 calendar with two months that will now go unused.  And the best gift was the weed whacker that was on the top of Mom's wish list back in November!

And we loved how our Facebook friends joined the celebration, sending us Christmas wishes via social media!  It was also nice not to have the usual stress that surrounds this holiday.  The shopping was done and we had no where else we needed to be.  But most importantly, Mom was with us and she was so happy celebrating a holiday she wasn't quite sure she'd ever see.  So on this Christmas Day in March, we thank God for the best gift of all--the gift of each other!

Merry Christmas!!

Putting up the tree on "Christmas Eve" with my sister Cathy

With my brother-in-law Tim (aka "my plow guy", aka "my contractor").  He is so good to me.
Don't know what I'd do without him.

Mom and Momma Jeanne

Me and Dan

Me with my niece Lexi and my sister Cathy

Playing Trivia Pursuit together!