http://dailypost.wordpress.com, DP, Daily Prompt
You get to enjoy the best day ever — describe in detail what that means to you. Where are you? What will you do? What’s the weather like? What will you eat? Who will you see?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us INDULGENT.
Let’s forget reality for today. Let’s pretend that every wish I wanted does exist and come true.
Today is Christmas. The lights are twinkling on the seven-foot tree. Christmas music is playing in the background. The scented candles are lit. The scene is lit and I am standing calm in the doorway. I have my velvet red dress on with matching necklace and earrings. My shoes are the matching color of my dress.
I open the front door and welcome with a big smile my family and hug each one as they enter my home.
Everyone comments about the delicious smells that are drifting their way from the kitchen. They each place their wrapped gifts under the tree. There is no worry from me this year that all here will not walk a way without a few gifts and goodies of their own.
Al is in his recliner watching The Christmas Story. I call out to him and he comes out to the kitchen with the biggest smile. He hugs me and thanks me for making this such a wonderful Christmas for him.
Everyone is seated in their marked seats at the big dining room table. Candles glowing bouncing off the crystal glasses. Festive red and green napkins hug the bright red tablecloth.
The conversation is awesome. Everyone is on their best behavior. The food is delicious. The desserts are eaten. Afterwards all jump in to help clear the table and do the dishes as the kiddies are mingling around the Christmas tree with squeals of delight on opening their gifts.
I take lots of photos so that I may share them with my friends here on WP and FB. The day lingers and the memories I am building are that this is the best Christmas ever.
But the bubble is burst and I sit here in the silence on Christmas morning. I haven’t heard any stirring from my brother and I fear just a little to walk in his room. For he has repeatedly told me he will not be here for Christmas.
But hopefully I will walk in and wish him a Merry Christmas. I can hope that he smiles back at me in silence. I will bathe him in bed. Place him in a dry brief, position him on his side and turn the movie on which has to be The Christmas Story.
I will go to the kitchen and find some clear liquids for his breakfast since yesterday he vomited three times. Thick mucus is building up in him and he is choking. Swallowing as of yesterday has become a very difficult thing for him.
I will sit with him and feed him and give him his medicines so his pain is lessened. Afterwards I will swab his mouth and shave his face. I will go to the silent kitchen and begin the preparations for the noon meal. My memories will come alive as I relive past Christmas Days when Mom and Dad were not in heaven.
My son will arrive shortly before noon and they will play with their children while I cook. Silent tears will fall for what once was. My children in our home. Al not in his bed dying. Laughter and music filling the air.
Dinner is served. Some conversation will be done. Al will be in his room and I will make the best of this situation with God‘s help. Gifts are opened and then they leave for another day of sharing with their extended family.
I look at the mess and I check on Al. I begin clean up duty as it won’t be long until the aunt I haven’t spoken to in six years comes to visit Al at his request. I pray that the visit is nothing less than good.
I ponder on what time my daughter will arrive on Thursday and begin to prepare for the new day.
Merry Christmas Al, Merry Christmas my children where ever you are. I miss you Mom and Dad. I wish things were different.
Related articles
- Little Gentle Christmas (ernestvik.wordpress.com)
- Christmas Eve (lovegabri.wordpress.com)
- Merry Christmas! (speakzeasy.wordpress.com)
- Christmas Decorations around our House (catiemccartney.wordpress.com)
- A Very Connected Christmas! (authorbethanydaniel.wordpress.com)
- 12 Tastes of Christmas :: Elizabeth’s Gumbo (lifeisgoodeveryday.wordpress.com)
- Happy Christmas, From Team Wheaton (wilwheaton.net)
- UPS apologies for delays in Christmas deliveries (cltv.com)
- It really is Christmas – no, really (martinturner.org.uk)
- And To All A Good Night (lulumusing.wordpress.com)
Merry Christmas Terry…wishing you love and light and prayers.
LikeLike
A very quiet day today even with my son and his family here. I can feel the presence of angels here surrounding Al
LikeLike
Merry Christmas Terry. You know we are all here.
LikeLike
Thank you. It was nice with my son today but very quiet as this is now the second day Al has refused food
LikeLike
How are you coping?
LikeLike
I am hanging in here. Al is doing a little less each day. I know our time is limited now. He did make it through Christmas though. He didn’t participate in any of it. He slept for the most part, but he was here
LikeLike
Merry Christmas my dear friend!
LikeLike
Thank you Len. Merry Christmas
LikeLike
You never cease to amaze me, Terry!
LikeLike
You always make me smile when I am down. thank you for being my good friend
LikeLike
Blessed Christmas, Terry
>
LikeLike
Thank you so much Yoshiko. Merry Christmas to you
LikeLike
Hugs, Terry, God bless you my friend, you and Al are in my prayers!
LikeLike
Hi Patricia, Loopy, I appreciate the prayers. I feel there are angels around Al’s bed all day. He has refused food for two days. He has been very still
LikeLike
Al is home with you…together…and the New Year is around the corner…
Many changes have been in this past year…and there will be more in the next…
But, right now…be glad he has made it to Christmas…a blessing for sure…and hopefully TODAY…he will enjoy it the best he can…
Love to you Terry!
LikeLike
Al didn’t get involved with Christmas at all today. He slept all day. He has refused food for two days now. But I can feel angels in his room. His room is full of silence and yet there is a calm in there
LikeLike
Merry Christmas Terry, Bless you and Al!
LikeLike
I hope you had a good day. Merry Christmas Ute. Al slept through Christmas
LikeLike
Merry Christmas, Terry. You are here in my heart 🙂
LikeLike
Merry Christmas my friend. I don’t know where Al was but he slept through the entire day. He has refused food now for two days
LikeLike
Merry Christmas dear Terry!
{Christmas hugs to you & Al}
PS – I’m watching A Christmas Story with Al – Love that movie! 🙂
LikeLike
I had it on his TV all night and day but Al slept the entire day a way. He refused food again today
LikeLike
What a beautiful post you wrote. My heart and prayers are with you and Al.
LikeLike
Thank you, your comment is so nice. It touches my heart. Al has been very calm today. Quiet, no talking no stirring. He refused food once again today
LikeLike
sis if I write what I’m feeling right now I’ll be writing gibberish because I’d be weeping too hard to think or see clear. I love you and keep praying for you. xxoo
LikeLike
Thank you Debbie. He slept through Christmas but he was here. Hugs
LikeLike
Merry Christmas, Terry and Al.
LikeLike
Thank you so much Kathy!!! hugs to you!
LikeLike
My father passed away just a month ago the same way as Al. It brings back memories. I am thinking of things I wanted to tell him again. That he was a good man. That people loved him and will miss him. How much I appreciated the things he did for me….especially the little things he may not have known about. That I am sorry if I ever caused him pain or grief. And, to thank him for being a significant person in my life and for all that he gave me, especially when it was not easy. I want to tell him “I love you”. And, hear him mumble back “I love you too”. Kiss Al for me and tell him to look up my dad, Dan Keller when he gets to heaven. xo xo
LikeLike
Every moment is precious. I try to tell Al all the things you mentioned. But I will forget words to say or wish I would have said more. i will surely tell Al to look up your Dad. Big hugs Kathy!
LikeLike
Wonderful and I hope Christmas went smoothly and you and Al were both blessed.
LikeLike
it went pretty smooth, thank you
LikeLike
Happy Christmas Terry. My access to a computer tends to be by a tablet at the moment which doesn’t work so well with wordpress so I tend to catch up lots in one go. I think about you and Al all the time though.
Best wishes.
LikeLike
Thank you Elaine. I hope you had a great Christmas
LikeLike