This year's Christmas was a Christmas of asking for help. Last Thursday, out of no where, my lower back gave out. As in, I had to call Greg to pick me up from work. Not believing it was that serious, we still went to a good bye dinner for good friends headed to Hong Kong. Except then I basically had to ask Greg and a friend at dinner to nearly carry me to our car. Friday I couldn't move. Saturday I felt better, so I went grocery shopping and started some cookies, but that was a big mistake, as I spent the rest of the day - and Sunday - and Monday - totally out of commission.
Some presents were not purchased. Cookies did not get made. Teachers gifts were not assembled. I pretty much lay in bed, being brought tea and meals, and tried to heal my back.
Thankfully, I have plenty adults around to delegate work to. My sister and my mom made cookies. Greg and my mother-in-law made Christmas Eve lunch and Christmas dinner. My other sister and aunt brought over a Christmas Eve smorgasbord post-service. (For the record, I finally got drugged up so I could move again to make it to church). My oldest son and my niece played piano-flute Christmas duet.
My nanny went to a distant cousin's house for the day, and, when her cousin found out how immobile I have been, the cousin sent our nanny home with an entire tray of pancit and other Filipino food so I don't have to cook tomorrow.
So, though Christmas was in my house, it wasn't a Pam-hosted Christmas but a team effort. It wasn't easy to "let go" and just have things happen, but I did manage to without being too upset. I think Greg is looking forward to his upcoming three week trip to China in order to recuperate from the extra effort he's put in the last week :)
Some presents were not purchased. Cookies did not get made. Teachers gifts were not assembled. I pretty much lay in bed, being brought tea and meals, and tried to heal my back.
Thankfully, I have plenty adults around to delegate work to. My sister and my mom made cookies. Greg and my mother-in-law made Christmas Eve lunch and Christmas dinner. My other sister and aunt brought over a Christmas Eve smorgasbord post-service. (For the record, I finally got drugged up so I could move again to make it to church). My oldest son and my niece played piano-flute Christmas duet.
My nanny went to a distant cousin's house for the day, and, when her cousin found out how immobile I have been, the cousin sent our nanny home with an entire tray of pancit and other Filipino food so I don't have to cook tomorrow.
So, though Christmas was in my house, it wasn't a Pam-hosted Christmas but a team effort. It wasn't easy to "let go" and just have things happen, but I did manage to without being too upset. I think Greg is looking forward to his upcoming three week trip to China in order to recuperate from the extra effort he's put in the last week :)
