Back in the Holiday Spirit

On December 22, 2016, ER Doctors found a mass in the right frontal lobe of my brain after I had a grand mal seizure at my in-law's house in Ohio. I was prescribed anti-seizure meds and told to get to a neurologist as soon as I got home from the holiday visit. To say the least, it was difficult to keep fear in check through the festivities.

The holidays have always been a big deal in my family but going through brain surgery and cancer treatments took a LOT out of me and the inspiration to decorate and participate in normal holiday fun was lacking. My lighted garland and snowflake lights that adorned my patio rail for Christmas 2016 have never been taken down to this day. As I near two years of recovery and getting used to my “new normal,” I have vowed to get back in the swing of things during the holidays.

With the help of friends, my apartment door was decorated with spiders and skeletons and entered in a complex wide contest for Halloween. It didn't win, or even get honorable mention, but I felt triumphant and inspired to keep up the holiday spirit.

While letting go of kitchen control on Thanksgiving was a challenge, I managed to do so with minimal conflict and we had a great day of family, food and football. Traditionally, my Christmas tree goes up the day after the turkey feast. You know, eat leftovers, drink beer, watch college ball and decorate.

I'm proud to say, the tree is up, lighted and not completely decorated but it's getting there. Untangling Christmas lights with only one hand slowed me down, straight pissed me off a couple times, but everybody knew better than to try to help. I tend to be determined these days. None-the-less, a little attitude adjustment and the decision to get the spirit back seems to be the ticket.

Now, let's talk Christmas cards...