No one should ever be a houseguest longer than it takes to delete a travel-sized tube of toothpaste.
This has already been a two tube trip.
All has been pending on medical answers which have been slow in coming. Don't get me wrong, nobody wants to make the decision for brain surgery in a drive through line, but if we don't have the promised answer tomorrow... I've decided to do it myself. (Considering clumsiness is one of the symptoms, I may rethink my resolve on that one, but it sounds good for now).
After two weeks of waiting, Charlie is putting up the Christmas tree today in Georgia. Karen and Bernie had theirs up when I arrived, as well as the outdoor lights burning as I pulled into the driveway at 7 a.m. I knew immediately they were in my honor and felt a huge surge of what I'm missing right now.
I know Christmas trees go up all over the world without my involvement, but not mine.
My brother's tree was close to being up when their cat decided not. There was little cat love and lots of confusion when I was there earlier this week, but I expect things will be upright and Buttons will be out of Cat Jail when I go there today.
I haven't seen my cousin Iris in many years, but was treated to a spectacular yard light display when we came home from the movies last night.
This is not the year of missing my Christmas, it's the year of sharing others. There's usually 1,000 miles between me and the celebration of the rest of my family. If I stop feeling sorry for myself, it's easy to recognize the gift.
My cousin, Bernie, his wife, Karen, and particularly their son, Eddie (whose bedroom I have commmandeered) have been inhumanly longsuffering, cheerful and there for every test and appointment.
I finally broke down and bought a full sized tube of toothpaste yesterday. We're still not sure when this adventure will end, but if home is where you are loved and safe, I apparently have more than one residence. I have been home for the holidays, just not my primary residence.