- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017
I had a huge "FUBAR" issue this Christmas, but I survived to tell the tale.
Here is what happened...I had plans. Not perfect plans, but routine holiday plans. I would be going down to the in-laws for Christmas eve, where we would eat, drink, and probably get too merry. I planned to be the designated driver so my husband could get too merry, and I would drive him home, relaxed and snoozing in the passenger seat.
The next day, Christmas, we would open gifts around the beautifully lit tree, drinking egg nog and coffee, and enjoying exchanging our modest but thoughtful gifts with our niece.
For the Christmas dinner, I had a big dinner planned for five guests. My friend Sally, who is probably celebrating her last Christmas, due to health issues that are really challenging. I bought a prime rib, and all the trimmings. It would be a special dinner, her last big holiday meal.
Instead....
My niece had a serious seizure on the 23rd. I was at the Portland hospital with her until 2 AM, having a frightening time of watching her unable to think, talk, or function well. Doctors were puzzled. The emergency room was slammed with problems--a two-car crash with six people seriously injured. A gal who was having terrible pain owing to her kidney failure. An older woman with a detached retina. To top it off, the street people were pouring in, trying to get opiates for "pain". It was a waiting room full of colorful personalities, and all I could do was keep my niece warm with heated blankets, and plead with them to get her into a room.
Christmas eve I was again at the hospital. I got her home at about 3 PM, then spent the day monitoring her. I did cry myself to sleep, and I did pray to Jesus for her comfort, and also for the comfort of the lady with the eye problem, and the young woman with failing kidneys. And please, Lord Jesus, give the street people comfort and warmth.
This morning we watched my niece open presents. I had cancelled the dinner for my friend, so I went to her place with gifts. I had made her a special Camino calendar, with photos I took all along the Camino de Santiago. She absolutely loved it. And we exchanged many gifts, and many hugs and kisses. Tomorrow she will go back into the hospital, and on Monday, my sister will fly to Oregon to try to take care of her daughter, my niece. And so this is Christmas.
Today I celebrate what is planned, and unplanned, what is done, and undone, and all the joy of the season.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all who plan, pray, sing, and celebrate, I appreciate you and hope you are truly happy, no matter what actually does happen, or how! It is the mystery and the joy of Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas. With love from Oregon.
Here is what happened...I had plans. Not perfect plans, but routine holiday plans. I would be going down to the in-laws for Christmas eve, where we would eat, drink, and probably get too merry. I planned to be the designated driver so my husband could get too merry, and I would drive him home, relaxed and snoozing in the passenger seat.
The next day, Christmas, we would open gifts around the beautifully lit tree, drinking egg nog and coffee, and enjoying exchanging our modest but thoughtful gifts with our niece.
For the Christmas dinner, I had a big dinner planned for five guests. My friend Sally, who is probably celebrating her last Christmas, due to health issues that are really challenging. I bought a prime rib, and all the trimmings. It would be a special dinner, her last big holiday meal.
Instead....
My niece had a serious seizure on the 23rd. I was at the Portland hospital with her until 2 AM, having a frightening time of watching her unable to think, talk, or function well. Doctors were puzzled. The emergency room was slammed with problems--a two-car crash with six people seriously injured. A gal who was having terrible pain owing to her kidney failure. An older woman with a detached retina. To top it off, the street people were pouring in, trying to get opiates for "pain". It was a waiting room full of colorful personalities, and all I could do was keep my niece warm with heated blankets, and plead with them to get her into a room.
Christmas eve I was again at the hospital. I got her home at about 3 PM, then spent the day monitoring her. I did cry myself to sleep, and I did pray to Jesus for her comfort, and also for the comfort of the lady with the eye problem, and the young woman with failing kidneys. And please, Lord Jesus, give the street people comfort and warmth.
This morning we watched my niece open presents. I had cancelled the dinner for my friend, so I went to her place with gifts. I had made her a special Camino calendar, with photos I took all along the Camino de Santiago. She absolutely loved it. And we exchanged many gifts, and many hugs and kisses. Tomorrow she will go back into the hospital, and on Monday, my sister will fly to Oregon to try to take care of her daughter, my niece. And so this is Christmas.
Today I celebrate what is planned, and unplanned, what is done, and undone, and all the joy of the season.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all who plan, pray, sing, and celebrate, I appreciate you and hope you are truly happy, no matter what actually does happen, or how! It is the mystery and the joy of Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas. With love from Oregon.