Christmas, A Hot Mess Holiday!
All I can say about this 2013 holiday season is that it has turned out to be a hot, hot holiday mess. Not, the past holiday seasons, particularly for the past 4-5 years haven't been a mess but this year has been the worst hot mess of the holidays I have seen in a long time. I guess it all started to be a hot mess long before this one ever got started. It really all started on December 2nd, 2005, the day my grandmother passed away in her home. She had always been the one to hold the family together. No matter who was mad at who and who did what to who and when they did whoever wrong she would always say that we were all family and that we had to stick together and that was all it was too it. She was the glue that held everyone together and she was one person who always and forever enjoyed the holidays especially Christmas. In her house there was no fighting, arguing or anything else so if you were unhappy with someone you left it at the door when you entered her house and by the time Christmas dinner was over and the gifts were unwrapped most of the time you forgot about why you were mad at so and so to begin with. Those were the days I wish I could go back to right about now. But, when her life ended so did those days.
Christmas and the days leading towards Christmas were never the same. Everyone went in separate directions after she died and moved into smaller houses, senior communities, and out of state. So, now nobody sees anybody during Christmas or any other time of they year too much either. It is sad when cousins don't know cousins and uncles don't know nephews and nieces and aunts don't nephews and nieces either. But, that is the way it is now and maybe some day it will change but I am not betting on it.
Now, this holiday season has just been bad news almost daily since it started. Thanksgiving wasn't so bad. Nothing too eventful happened on Thanksgiving. We ate turkey and were thankful for our blessing big and small. We were all looking forward to Christmas. We even put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and we have only done that once. But, everyone in this house was feeling festive and ready to get the next holiday started, everyone's favorite. Of course, Christmas is a close second to Halloween in my son's eyes. But, nevertheless, we were ready. Then it all started happening.
First the decision was made that we had to move on from this place. It was a decision in the making probably the day we moved in this place. Everyone knew that it was not a home just a stopping point more or less. It didn't feel like home nor did it have enough space for everyone to have their small piece of personal space. Not even a place to play or relax outdoors and we are all used to that, having a place just to chill outside. So, that was a decision nobody was surprised about when it came along. The surprising part was that the landlord basically said in not so many words that we had to move cause we have been in this stopping place too long and he was tired of making "wear and tear" repairs. That bit of news came a little less then two weeks before Christmas. But, it was nothing unexpected.
The next piece of major bad news came yesterday. I was just sitting there watching television with my son, a movie of his choosing, The Incredibles , and the phone rang. So, I looked at the caller ID and instantly knew that it was going to be bad news. I knew because this person always calls more for the bad then the good. I don't think he has ever told me anything good in the 11 years that I have known him. So, I braced myself and answered the phone. I was ready for the bad in the first sentence but didn't get the bad until a few sentences later. He asked me how I was and what I was doing. My answers were short and brief because I was waiting to hear the bad news that was coming. He thanked me for the Christmas card I sent him and then it came. He informed me that he hadn't gotten it until last night. I asked why since I know that the mail is slow but not that slow. He told me something that I never expected to hear and when I heard it I was shocked. He said he hadn't gotten the card because he was in jail. I repeated the word "jail" rather loudly and my son asked me who was in jail, turning his attention away from his show thinking the phone conversation was a little more interesting then superheroes. I made a motion with my hand for him to be quiet and then moved to the next room to continue this conversation. I heard the long twisted tale of how my 50 year old friend ended up spending 5 long days and nights in jail. I am still rather in shock over the reason but I guess I really shouldn't be because bad things happen to good people all the time in this world we live in. But, I found it very disturbing and couldn't really stop thinking about it the remainder of the day. He really needs a good, very good lawyer.
Then another piece of bad news came via Facebook this time. Facebook has become the place for me now that I keep track of some of the cousins that I don't really talk to anymore in real time. It is sad that our relationships have come to Facebook posts. So, scrolling through the news feed I came across one post from one cousin which said that he had been in the hospital for emergency surgery and he was thanking the people that had come to sit with him while he was in there a couple of weeks ago. I had no clue he was in there. So, I went through all my contacts on my cell and found a number for him and was hoping that it was a good number and that he hadn't changed it 20 times from the one I had. Apparently, it was good but the answers I was seeking were not to be found since it went straight to voice mail and my message was left but hasn't been responded to yet. I know in my gut he won't call me back and that I will just see another post updating his condition over the weekend or during the week ahead.
Of course the bad news didn't end there. This was sort of bad and good news. My nephew was driving us to Target a few weeks ago and he decided to take a drive through a small city that is pretty scenic as far as cities go around here. So, we are driving along and the cops pull him over. I am like oh no, now what? So, the cop comes to the window and he asked him does he know why he got pulled over and he said yes, he didn't stop at the stop sign and the cop told him he was right. So, the cop told him and the stop sign is right in front of the police station, more or less how can you miss that one?, so the cop asked Josh if he should give him a ticket or let him go this time. Josh said let him go he thinks he learned his lesson. So, the cop laughed and gave him a warning and let him go with no ticket. I was riding in the back seat with Josh and my sister was in the front so I didn't notice the stop sign or that he didn't stop but I told him and her to pay more attention especially him since he was doing the driving.
Now, it comes to the cooking. I am not much for holiday cooking anymore. Not that I can't do it, it is just less drama when I don't. Last week I ordered the ham in the box dinner from Safeway, just as did for Thanksgiving but it was the turkey in the box dinner then. It was pretty good too. I called and gave the woman my information and she said that the last day to pick it up is the 22nd at noon. For some reason I kept forgetting to tell my nephew to pick it up since he is the only other person that can drive my mom's car besides my mom and she doesn't drive much these days. So, finally, I remembered and told him last week. He said it was fine. He would be working that day but didn't know what time. When he found out that he would be working from 6am-3pm and told my mom she was not happy. I told her that there is nothing we can do about it but call the store and ask can they hold it until after 3 when he gets off unless she is going to make the trip up there. And I didn't dare tell my friend whom thought I was nuts at Thanksgiving when I told him I ordered cooked food that I am doing it again for Christmas. No need to go there again.
So, I am most definitely counting my Christmas blessings even though it has been a rough time and a rough holiday season but as the old saying goes it could be a lot worse and believe me it has been and a lot of people have it way worse then I do. I am choosing to look at like the glass is half full for now. Although, I am hoping and praying for all that it gets better next year and by next Christmas I only hear happy, happy news from all.
Christmas and the days leading towards Christmas were never the same. Everyone went in separate directions after she died and moved into smaller houses, senior communities, and out of state. So, now nobody sees anybody during Christmas or any other time of they year too much either. It is sad when cousins don't know cousins and uncles don't know nephews and nieces and aunts don't nephews and nieces either. But, that is the way it is now and maybe some day it will change but I am not betting on it.
Now, this holiday season has just been bad news almost daily since it started. Thanksgiving wasn't so bad. Nothing too eventful happened on Thanksgiving. We ate turkey and were thankful for our blessing big and small. We were all looking forward to Christmas. We even put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving and we have only done that once. But, everyone in this house was feeling festive and ready to get the next holiday started, everyone's favorite. Of course, Christmas is a close second to Halloween in my son's eyes. But, nevertheless, we were ready. Then it all started happening.
First the decision was made that we had to move on from this place. It was a decision in the making probably the day we moved in this place. Everyone knew that it was not a home just a stopping point more or less. It didn't feel like home nor did it have enough space for everyone to have their small piece of personal space. Not even a place to play or relax outdoors and we are all used to that, having a place just to chill outside. So, that was a decision nobody was surprised about when it came along. The surprising part was that the landlord basically said in not so many words that we had to move cause we have been in this stopping place too long and he was tired of making "wear and tear" repairs. That bit of news came a little less then two weeks before Christmas. But, it was nothing unexpected.
The next piece of major bad news came yesterday. I was just sitting there watching television with my son, a movie of his choosing, The Incredibles , and the phone rang. So, I looked at the caller ID and instantly knew that it was going to be bad news. I knew because this person always calls more for the bad then the good. I don't think he has ever told me anything good in the 11 years that I have known him. So, I braced myself and answered the phone. I was ready for the bad in the first sentence but didn't get the bad until a few sentences later. He asked me how I was and what I was doing. My answers were short and brief because I was waiting to hear the bad news that was coming. He thanked me for the Christmas card I sent him and then it came. He informed me that he hadn't gotten it until last night. I asked why since I know that the mail is slow but not that slow. He told me something that I never expected to hear and when I heard it I was shocked. He said he hadn't gotten the card because he was in jail. I repeated the word "jail" rather loudly and my son asked me who was in jail, turning his attention away from his show thinking the phone conversation was a little more interesting then superheroes. I made a motion with my hand for him to be quiet and then moved to the next room to continue this conversation. I heard the long twisted tale of how my 50 year old friend ended up spending 5 long days and nights in jail. I am still rather in shock over the reason but I guess I really shouldn't be because bad things happen to good people all the time in this world we live in. But, I found it very disturbing and couldn't really stop thinking about it the remainder of the day. He really needs a good, very good lawyer.
Then another piece of bad news came via Facebook this time. Facebook has become the place for me now that I keep track of some of the cousins that I don't really talk to anymore in real time. It is sad that our relationships have come to Facebook posts. So, scrolling through the news feed I came across one post from one cousin which said that he had been in the hospital for emergency surgery and he was thanking the people that had come to sit with him while he was in there a couple of weeks ago. I had no clue he was in there. So, I went through all my contacts on my cell and found a number for him and was hoping that it was a good number and that he hadn't changed it 20 times from the one I had. Apparently, it was good but the answers I was seeking were not to be found since it went straight to voice mail and my message was left but hasn't been responded to yet. I know in my gut he won't call me back and that I will just see another post updating his condition over the weekend or during the week ahead.
Of course the bad news didn't end there. This was sort of bad and good news. My nephew was driving us to Target a few weeks ago and he decided to take a drive through a small city that is pretty scenic as far as cities go around here. So, we are driving along and the cops pull him over. I am like oh no, now what? So, the cop comes to the window and he asked him does he know why he got pulled over and he said yes, he didn't stop at the stop sign and the cop told him he was right. So, the cop told him and the stop sign is right in front of the police station, more or less how can you miss that one?, so the cop asked Josh if he should give him a ticket or let him go this time. Josh said let him go he thinks he learned his lesson. So, the cop laughed and gave him a warning and let him go with no ticket. I was riding in the back seat with Josh and my sister was in the front so I didn't notice the stop sign or that he didn't stop but I told him and her to pay more attention especially him since he was doing the driving.
Now, it comes to the cooking. I am not much for holiday cooking anymore. Not that I can't do it, it is just less drama when I don't. Last week I ordered the ham in the box dinner from Safeway, just as did for Thanksgiving but it was the turkey in the box dinner then. It was pretty good too. I called and gave the woman my information and she said that the last day to pick it up is the 22nd at noon. For some reason I kept forgetting to tell my nephew to pick it up since he is the only other person that can drive my mom's car besides my mom and she doesn't drive much these days. So, finally, I remembered and told him last week. He said it was fine. He would be working that day but didn't know what time. When he found out that he would be working from 6am-3pm and told my mom she was not happy. I told her that there is nothing we can do about it but call the store and ask can they hold it until after 3 when he gets off unless she is going to make the trip up there. And I didn't dare tell my friend whom thought I was nuts at Thanksgiving when I told him I ordered cooked food that I am doing it again for Christmas. No need to go there again.
So, I am most definitely counting my Christmas blessings even though it has been a rough time and a rough holiday season but as the old saying goes it could be a lot worse and believe me it has been and a lot of people have it way worse then I do. I am choosing to look at like the glass is half full for now. Although, I am hoping and praying for all that it gets better next year and by next Christmas I only hear happy, happy news from all.
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