3 replies to this topic

[Susi]

Hallo All friends both old and new

Seeing as I haven't seen a Christmas posting, I would like to wish all of you courageous people out there the very best of Holidays in this time.

How will we all celebrate Christmas and do we feel the need to celebrate at all? Or is it just another holiday for us all?

Well this year particularly for me, is going to be a time of reflection, grace and thanks. I will be, for the first time in a long, long time, celebrating Christmas with my husband alone. Pre-accident, I was always the one (and still do) who got so excited by the advent of Christmas, and all it entails. Family, friends, good food and drink, decorations, present buying, the whole hog, oh and don't forget the Christmas songs that start end October already (much too much for my kids to handle), and Church on Christmas Eve! The stress and anticipation of cooking and preparing for a feast wherever we were celebrating. I love this time of year! Post-accident (5 years now), have been catered for by my husband's family and husband. I was priviledged enough to have my children with me over Christmasses past. We still did all the crazy things, but more muted than before.

This year we have No family around us, my kids over in England, to start their life and my family all overseas as well, my husband's family travelling to visit family and friends.

For the first time, I can really sit back and reflect the actual meaning of the "silly" season, as so many call it, and celebrate my "second" chance at life. To reflect how far I have come, give thanks to God and my precious husband who has valiantly stood by me to cushion life's disappointments and unpleasantries as well as trying to fill the gap left by the children leaving home, and really mean it. Not that I have never meant it, but this time around I feel differently. The care and just being the greatest friend, lover and constant companion he has been for the last 5 years and 9 years pre-accident. We celebrated our first wedding anniversary as well this year in April!

I feel truly liberated for the first time, no mad rushing around and preparing and buying presents, and enjoying just being the two of us without missing the kids too much. Oh the joy is still there in buying presents, but very much more considerate gift-giving than in any other year. We are not going traditional this year, no we are going to have barbequed fish with all trimmings, enjoy the sun and a stress-free time as regards the food, but all the same decorations and a much smaller tree.

I have much to be thankful for, but most importantly, having found this site and joining up, the many people on this site, both incomplete and complete quadriplegics and paraplegics, I wish you all wherever you are, a really blessed Christmas and a super healthy 2008. For those of you that don't celebrate Christmas, I also wish you a blessed time throughout the holidays, hopefully celebrating with friends, care-givers and family and the "better half".

You all have contributed in making my life a lot more bearable. I have laughed at your postings, reflected on others and yes, shed tears for the growing family of "newbies". Hopefully whatever I have posted has managed to make your lives a bit easier to bare, and who can forget our founding brother, friend, and wise sage, of this website, Simon. To you Simon and family, thank you for creating this website and watching your family grow (sadly), I wish you most sincerely a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2008 journey.

I love you all.

[benok]

Happy Christmas to all.

I will be celebrating Christmas five years post injury. I will be going out with my fiancé to hear mass and have a lunch out on Christmas Day. Afterwards, enjoy some light shopping.

Christmas mellowed very much from the festive mood to a more reflective mood for my part as an SCI; probably because I am limited with what I want to do and plan. However, when I keep myself busy doing work and chores, I still get drowned and forget to pause and reflect.

[kewlcatkez]

Hi Susi,

Thanks for your post! I always feel grateful for the peeks into other's lives. Its especially true when there is an aura or air of contentment alongside those words written. You sound happy .



Although Christmas remains such a magical time ( children really help retain that), its still a bit of an extra challenge at such times of year as we recall how things used to be. I try and remember that this is true of all life events, good or bad! Like where you reflect on the types of Christmases you have had through the years, good and even better, and no doubt will think of those days when you weren't disabled, some remember loved ones who have passed (either at this time of year, or b/c such festivities remind us).
Some of us have both situations to reflect on.

Like you, I feel very blessed and content right now. Yes there are many factors which I wish I could change about my disability. I am sure I am not the only one who thinks "if only I didn't have so much pain, so many dislocations" and/or "if only I could dance, heck walk!". others still think "If only I was like Kewlcatkez and others who aren't quads" etc.. I think thats human nature though!

I do envy (envy is naughty!) that you do not have the hassle and worries of the Commercialised buying gifts etc. I blogged about that a few days ago, as I feel quite affected by it all ( for wants of another word!) as we are almost Socialized by the Commericial vibes from TV, Shops and Stores, other people even! I try and fend off such hassles, but its not always that easy is it!

We have two young children >6 years and my in-laws live a few streets away. My mum and sister live 30+ miles away. Christmas eve will be a quiet exciting time, with our children imparting a magical feeling due to their excitement. Its not just about the gifts, oh no, its much more than that. the innocence and amazement of children. they love the lights, glitter and glitz and the stories and songs of Christmas. I always make time to check in at my emails and any sites I have been posting on.. will check here also! We have friends all over the world and I have gained many cyber friends who are also dotted everywhere

Christmas day is spent at my inlaws and Boxing day ( the day after) is spent at my mums. Both my mum and Mum-in-law prepare lunch on the days we are there. This is because my MIL is the centre of my hubby's family and she loves having everyone there at christmas. We started partaking in the festivities there several years ago as I would often be working Christmas day.

I suppose thats one good thing about not working as an RN anymore.

I do have to admit that I am very introspective and think far too much about most things! I do tend to feel very humbled and fortunate at Christmas though. I am fortunate to have 2 beautiful children, despite some infertility and difficult pregnancies, a husband despite the way I have pushed him away at times and close family who, on the whole love me for who I am, not what I do and who are not influenced by the chair. Many of the friends I did have, said that they found it difficult to deal with my disability, others haven't 'said' anything in a while ;) However, I have a few, people online included, who renew my faith in human nature.

All in all, I have much to be grateful and thankful for. I suppose I do believe in the magic of Christmas! So yes, I do feel I need to celebrate, even if only by spending time with family and reflecting on the good things in life -in spite and despite of my disability.

A merry Christmas to all..

Take care,

K

[carole338]

Hi Susi,

Thanks for starting this message. It was needed. This is my first Christmas as a paraplegic.

I will be spending Christmas with my daughter, son, 6 grandchildren, sister and brother, and their spouses. My daughter lives next door to me so getting there won’t be a problem unless it snows. I will be doing some of the cooking with the help of my husband. Thank goodness for internet shopping. The grandchildren won’t get empty stockings.

My house is under major renovation to accommodate me and my wheelchair. I am looking forward to the New Year and my new house.

I have lost some friends, those who don’t know how to deal with my injury. Those that came to see me realized that I didn’t change and it was OK to ask questions. Some friendships actually strengthened.

My greatest supporters are my family and grandchildren. There is one who is special. I know I shouldn’t favor any but my 8 year old granddaughter, Sophia, is one of a kind. She takes care of me, watches over me, makes sure I don’t fall, knows just how to set up my legs so I am comfortable, anticipates my needs, and never complains. She is my angel.

I hope the spirit of Charismas brightens all our lives. I can’t say it is a time for reflection for everyone. It may be for me because I have so much to feel grateful for in my life. Others may feel the bitterness of what this injury has taken away from them. I only pray we all have the best holidays possible and a happy and healthy 2008.

Carole