Like so many others, I’m alone for Christmas. Well, physically I am, anyway -- it’s just me sitting here in my seventh floor apartment, as usual.
Truth is, I don’t feel one bit bad about it, though. I had to take my Sweetie home yesterday. It’s only fair, after all. She’s a mother and grandmother with a house full of people and I had her here for eleven straight days. So, rather than feeling sad about taking her back home, I was rather happy that people there were happy to see us return and still talking to me. . . .
Talk about an “Over the River and Through the Woods” Christmas trip, though . . . that’s a 370 mile round trip! Which means, I was kind of beat by the time I returned home. Nonetheless, being a father, the oldest of nine kids and the elder male in a huge family, I too had a few responsibilities around town. So, I walked and ate stuff while talking to people on the phone for a couple hours after I got home. Then, I wrote a letter to my Sweetie and went out again.
The family had a gathering on Christmas Eve, but I didn’t attend. That’s more or less for the kids, after all, and my “kid” is almost forty now and living in San Francisco with her husband and kids. When I got home I had five e-mails from “friends” at a hospice where I sort of volunteer. So, I went to see them for Christmas Eve. As was my plan, I arrived there a little before the patient’s families were told to clear out for the evening and so had many people to talk with. I love the patient’s, though, and so tried to spend a bit of quality time with as many as possible last night. Surprisingly enough, a few of them had planed a little something for the place and we all had a good time. Oh . . . and did I mention that I also bought some adult beverage to share with those who are still allowed to have some? Yeah, under the scornful watch of the head nurse, I noted that certain residents will NOT be needing a sleeping pill. A couple of them were already dozing off when I left.
Of course, Christmas morning I’m still alone in my apartment. Not completely alone, though. My phone rang a little after six this morning. Yup . . . I’m happy to say that My Sweetie called me early to give a few verbal hugs and let me know what was going on, on the other side of our state, in her world. Nice wake up call! A very interesting part of the call, of course, was about when we can get together again. In just a few days, it appears, I’ll be driving across our state yet again to bring her here for another couple week “date.” We’ll bring in the New Year together, and more. How many weeks is that so far? A few, I think -- and many more are in the planning stage. . . .
We laugh when others talk of first date behavior. Our first “date” started with a long hug and a few little kisses while standing out in a cold rain in a restaurant parking lot. Some say that you should first meet in public. We did, sort of. We just never made it inside the place. Instead, we went to her home for a while, and then drove to my home for a week. And, to my way of thinking, anyway, that “first date” is still in progress and may really never end.
Those of you who know me know that I say the same thing every year at this time: You cannot be alone for Christmas. It ain’t possible! There is a nursing home and/or hospice somewhere near you that needs you. After all, if YOU were a resident there, wouldn’t you like a visit from someone like you??? Hint: A box of chocolate and a smile go a hell of a long way in places like that! Home made cupcakes are also usually a big hit, too. Really, though, it’s the visitor that counts. Especially someone who is not afraid to touch some.
One hand can express volumes to another person. Affectionate touch is the greatest gift one can ever give another. . . .
Yeah, I’m alone (as usual) this Christmas. I don’t feel that way, though. My Sweetie is watching her grandkids open gifts right about now. All of my 50-some nieces and nephews are watching their kids do the same. My ancient mother is in her room knowing that she will soon be visited by her huge family (kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, etc.) throughout the day. The inmates at the hospice know that I will be wandering their halls for a couple hours this afternoon. Even the Arab guys at the local liquor store wished me Merry Christmas last night.
In other words, everything is right, and as it should be, in my world. I do not need to see it all happen to know that is true. Yeah, I would like some squeezing from my Sweetie, but we’ll get back to that in a couple days -- and that’s yet another sure thing in my life that makes me very happy.
It’s true; I’m sitting here alone on Christmas morning. But, I certainly do not feel alone. I’ve already felt love, via a phone call, early this morning. Later, there will be a few stops at family homes and time at the hospice. Then, I’ll talk with my Sweetie again for a while. Who knows, if time allows I may also stop at a new nursing home and/or the VA hospital. There are always places to go and people to see in this world. All one needs do is close the front door from the outside and go somewhere. You will be positively amazed how many people want to see you, once you present yourself.
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