Is it really that time of year again….already….it seems to come round so quickly. There’s always so much to do and I never really feel on top of it but somehow everything seems to eventually get done.
I’m a list person. I Love to write a list. It’s that feeling of satisfaction you get when you can cross things off, knowing you’ve actually achieved something. The problem with that at the moment is for every one thing I’m crossing off my list, I’m adding two more jobs 🙃.
I’ve hosted Christmas at my house virtually every year since James was born. It’s just been easier that way because we have everything here he could possibly need and if he needed to go to bed early then he could. He won’t be going to bed early now…. he likes to be up and where the action is.
This year will be the third Christmas since James moved into his own home in supported accommodation. With him not being here all of the time, I have much more prep time with regard to the food side of things. The first Christmas after James had moved out, he came to stay with us from Christmas Eve and stayed for three nights. I can’t lie…it was quite exhausting. James wakes up very early irrespective of what time he goes to bed. Unless you know James it’s hard to understand how totally demanding of my time he can be although..…I’m just a poor substitute until the big man arrives and no I don’t mean Father Christmas. Grandad is far more exciting 😊
Last year we decided to pick James up on Christmas morning so he actually only slept here for two nights. I was sad to think it was the first time in his life he was going to wake up on Christmas Day and I wasn’t going to be there. And honestly, my stomachs churning a bit at the thought of it again this year as we have decided to do the same. But he was fine, of course, and so was I. Whilst his dad picked him up I was busy making stuffing and pigs in blankets. He also went with his dad to go and pick up Grandma and Grandad and he’ll do the same this year and he is always excited to see them.
I guess nothing can really stay the same forever. Routines change and it’s sometimes hard to adjust. I remember how it was when my youngest son stayed out for the first time on New Years Eve, I missed giving him a hug as the clock struck midnight but that’s the way it has to be. Our children grow up and move on and James is just the same as any other child in that way. I suppose we just have to learn to embrace the changes.
As I reflect on this year it’s been a busy one. My youngest son completed his degree and I couldn’t be prouder of his achievements. He has just returned a few days ago from a few months travelling in Australia with a friend. He’s currently recovering from jet lag and adjusting to our cold and wet climate!!
James has been quite up and down at times this year. He had some medication changes and covid which both affected him quite badly. He has had some unsettled spells and his sleep pattern can be easily affected which is never good as he struggles with tiredness at the best of times. We are still trying to get blood tests done for him which has been an ongoing saga for many months, complicated now by the reoccurrence of seizures after being seizure free for many years. It’s not all bad by any means, we had a lovely holiday with him in June and we’ve shared many other joyful moments and sleepovers with him too but it would be fair to say there’s quite a lot going on with him right now.
A highlight this year was sharing some quality family time with my parents as they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary and later in the year Darryl and I went on holiday abroad on our own for the first time in many years…..it was touch and go whether we’d actually get there as everyone had covid the week before and then James had a seizure just a few days before we were due to leave, but we did go away and it was lovely.
So now with just over a week to go I am doing what I do every year and try desperately to search for something James will be excited to unwrap on Christmas Day. Honestly though it’s going to be much the same as usual, an online book made on Snapfish about our summer holiday and some different puzzles that I know he will enjoy. But actually, as much as I want to see his smile when he opens his presents, he will do that anyway because he just loves being with family. That is what it should really all be about. Aside from the presents and the food it should be about being with our family and friends who we love.
I hope you all get to spend some time with your family and friends too and wish you all a Happy and Healthy Christmas and New Year.
See you in 2024.
Helen x
