Two more weeks until Christmas. This holiday season has been different, yet I still want to keep the season as normal as possible. I want to savor all the wonderfulness of the season.
About mid-October I usually plan out my timeline for the upcoming holidays. I love having the plan and ten not having to worry about the details.
This year is different. About the beginning of October, we realized that my husband, Rob, has cancer. Now, we really are expecting to win this fight but meanwhile with radiation five days a week and chemo once a week, life priorities have shifted.
Right off, instead of sending out a “save the date” email for our annual holiday party, I sent off a “we are cancelling our party this year” email. Then, I looked over my usual list of holiday tasks, most of which I really enjoy, and made some modifications.
I wanted to decorate our house. I left off some of the trimming but basically did most of it. Rob was able to help me get the tree up and my son, Darin, was able to help with some of the outside decorations. I still sent out cards, but with shorter notes inside. I still baked cookies but did not have to prepare food for the party. Most gifts were ordered on line and some were sent directly to the recipients.
There comes a point at the end of each day that I sit in the living room with Rob where we enjoy our decorations, listen to some holiday music, and work on the crossword puzzle together.
On Christmas day, my son will come over and spend the day with us. Our meal will be much simpler than usual, but we will enjoy each other’s company and just relax together. It is a wonderful time of the year!
Jonda S. Beattie Professional Organizer