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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ClearSkies on December 29, 2007, at 8:37:12
It was more than nice - it was really special, to have all of us siblings together at our mom's for Christmas, plus the nieces and nephews. A first in many, many years. Kind of interesting how my mom really underestimated the food required for such a gathering, by purchasing what seemed to be the smallest turkey I'd ever seen - must have been a runt! - but a quick trip to the grocery store fixed that little hitch. And then she sent almost all the leftover home immediately after the meal, so we didn't even get to enjoy the best part - that next day's meal!
I found myself characterizing the people around the table as various animals. This helped me a lot in keeping my frustrations in check (after all, animals can't help the way they behave, and people can). We had a penguin, and a peacock, and a rooster, and a caged budgy bird (lots of birds). We had lounging cats and a yippy little lap dog; we had a mouse, nibbling away at everything. All the animals got along peaceably. I was pretty quiet and didn't actually mingle very much, preferring instead to sit and watch everybody (and no, I didn't sit there with my notebook). I did feel slightly uncomfortable at first as going "home" does bring a flood of memories, and I found myself feeling slightly overwhelmed with emotions at times. Being quiet helped me keep from crying, which I saved for the church service on Christmas Eve. I was utterly unable to sing any of the hymns, getting choked up every time I opened my mouth. I just let the tears fall down my cheeks and basked in the memories of Christmases past, both happy (few) and sad (many); and accepted their presence as presents.
I came down with a dreadful cold towards the end of the trip which slowed me down quite a bit. Last night we finally arrived home, though our luggage has not yet. Hopefully it will catch up with us some time today.
I had a really good visit with each of my brothers, and spent entirely too much much time with my mother. I got to see a whole bunch of snow on the ground when we arrived, but our travel wasn't hampered at all by weather. I got to see a couple of flurries, too. I got to wear my winter coat, justifying its place in my closet for another year.
I missed my cat, and she purred mightily when we got home.
CS
Posted by Poet on December 29, 2007, at 13:15:15
In reply to Back and Christmas was nice, posted by ClearSkies on December 29, 2007, at 8:37:12
Hi Clearskies,
My family as animals would be a pack of wolves. I'm glad your "flock" got along so well.
I'm sending you snow through cyberspace. Please send sunshine.
Poet
Posted by ClearSkies on December 30, 2007, at 8:43:19
In reply to Re: Back and Christmas was nice » ClearSkies, posted by Poet on December 29, 2007, at 13:15:15
> Hi Clearskies,
>
> My family as animals would be a pack of wolves. I'm glad your "flock" got along so well.
>I was so surprised! Fully expected to seeing feathers flying in every direction, but we were all on our best behaviour. Quite orderly, really...
> I'm sending you snow through cyberspace. Please send sunshine.
>(Squinting) There. Did you get it??
CS
Posted by Poet on December 30, 2007, at 16:12:26
In reply to Re: Back and Christmas was nice » Poet, posted by ClearSkies on December 30, 2007, at 8:43:19
I got it. Much needed the sun hasn't shined IRL in days.
Snowball coming your way. Darn it I have bad aim even in cyberspace.
Poet
Posted by Kath on December 30, 2007, at 21:28:23
In reply to Back and Christmas was nice, posted by ClearSkies on December 29, 2007, at 8:37:12
Dear CS,
Glad you had a nice Christmas...sounds like a LOT of different feelings went on for you.
Sorry you got ill & hope your A-1 now.
I send hugs & smiles.
luv, Kath
This is the end of the thread.
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