7 Things I Want for Christmas

I wasn't sure if I was going to have much Christmas Spirit this year. When you live in a world controlled by chronic illness and caregiving, you often don't have the energy for things that aren't musts. Sometimes you wonder, what's the point?

As Thanksgiving neared, I knew I didn't want to be in charge of the meal; I asked my dad to run with it. I thought for sure I'd start decorating for Christmas during Thanksgiving weekend, but I didn't. I wasn't even sure if I'd send any real holiday greetings this year.

What I did do, however, was jump online to peruse Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. I'm a girl who loves a bargain, after all, and I need those sales in order to afford the gifts I'd like to give. As I found items to purchase, I began to feel some excitement for the holiday season build, and by December 1st, I was out in the garage getting the Christmas boxes out.

Retail therapy isn't all that got me motivated. My kids are a bigger incentive to shed any woe-is-me crud I'm holding onto. I have family traditions to uphold and childhood memories to make for them.

I would love to share what we're giving our kids this year, but, while I don't think Camryn reads my blog, she is on Facebook, so she could see this and decide to click through. Can't make it that easy on her!

I will tell you, because it's funny, that AJ put some head-in-the-clouds items on his wish list this year. For example, an electric motocross bike.

My dearest AJ, I get it. You have motorcycle love in your blood. Your dad, my dad and even my step-dad all love the things. But no, not yet. Signed, Your Loving Mother.

On MY list this year is:

1. A ceramic yarn bowl. Because one needs to contain those rolly-polly skeins of yarn! They try to get away. It's as if they don't want to fulfill their destiny of being knitted or crocheted into some lovely item. And, I happen to know I'm getting one because my dear husband didn't have a clue how to choose one and buy it himself. This will be mine come December 25th:

redhotpottery

2. I would swoon for four of these retro diner chairs to match the new dining table we got earlier this year, but at $100 a pop, they're so not in the cards right now.

3. The Kindle edition of "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" by Toni Bernhard.

4. This cute little flip top! end table would fit nicely at the end of our couch, and look so much better than a TV tray.

But I'd want it in white or black.

5. Our downstairs walls protected from Mark's power chair, which may actually happen, because of help from the GoFundMe account he asked me to set up a few months ago.

But mostly I want...

6. Since we're not having any houseguests this year, I decided I want Christmas morning to be just the four of us. Us and some cinnamon rolls!

7. For Mark to feel as good as is possible, and for our kids to be happy.

What are you wishing for this year?

Subscribe to Weekly Rain