It feels like ages since I last wrote a blog. It is! But I put family first and for me this blog isn't about trying to make money or how many people read it. I write it because I hope that my outlook on life, my humour, my musings can be of help to someone; make them smile a little or feel less alone. That they know we all go through life with good days and bad days, happy times and sad.
I have so many thoughts in my head at the moment that this blog could end up as a complete rambling mess, so I shall focus on my Christmas.
So many precious memories were made.
We spent Christmas with my beautiful Bex and her dashing Dan, and with my lovely mum. This year's Christmas was especially important to me because as I've said before, my lovely mum has Alzheimer's and is deteriorating faster than I would like; what child likes to see old age creep upon their parents. These are the two people who are meant to be around forever, that are invincible. They rescued you from the bogey man hiding under your bed, rubbed a dock leaf on your stinging nettle rash, held you when you cried because your first boyfriend broke your heart or you bumped your new car. I want my mum to be well and happy but she's 82 this year and all I can hope for is that she happy and well-cared for.
So we spent a 'last' family Christmas with her. Organising Christmas, or any family time, from so far away is never easy but I'm blessed to have Bex there who picks up the slack for me. She shops for me, helps me plan and order the food online. Wraps presents, cooks meals. Helps me tidy up and look after the family. She's my mini-me only prettier and younger and more sensible (sometimes!!). I could not have pulled off Christmas without her. Thank you.
The great thing is that mum knew it was Christmas and was looking forward to our time together. I had ordered most of the food and had it delivered, some we bought fresh closer to Christmas Eve. Bex and I went out and bought the widest, most Christmassy tree we could possibly fit into the mini, then she and Dan decorated it. Mum sat wide eyed as she watched it being put up and decorated; she couldn't believe how big it was, exclaiming that it was nearly as big as the room. A tad concerned about how it was going to get out of the house and dropping needles but never the less loving having a real tree again. And for me this Christmas was all about giving my mum a Christmas like all of our childhood ones and the Christmases we enjoyed as a family, grandparents and grandchildren all together. Which between us is exactly what happened. We gave my mum, Bex and myself a Christmas to remember. Not loud or busy because that would have been too much for my lovely mum, but family traditions quietly done together.
Mum isn't really able to drink too much but I made mulled wine each evening, allowing her a glass. I remember how much she and dad loved mulled wine; that as soon as I could smell it infusing the house I knew Christmas had really arrived. That and champagne cocktails on Christmas morning! There's something about the smells of Christmas that can evoke so many memories. Mulled wine, the scent of a real tree, even your Christmas roast smells different from any other roast throughout the year.
The obligatory Polar Express on Christmas Eve, also enjoyed by Bex's friend Hannah who joined us on Skype from Plymouth to watch it with us. This is the perfect film for Christmas Eve as its all about believing and holding onto the magic of your childhood, something that is hard to do when life happens to you. My favourite bit being the hot chocolate scene on the train!! Stockings appearing at the end of the bed on Christmas morning (as we've never had 'the' conversation about Father Christmas it means that we are still able to believe in the magic of stockings). Mum loved opening her stocking and then neatly put everything back in! We tried to give her small gifts that she could use because we didn't want her to become overwhelmed or confused by it all. The Grinch as we opened presents left under the tree. Champagne and crackers, roast dinner and sprouts. Followed by the most amazing Christmas cake made by Bex. If you go onto her IG page you can see it. Incredible.
Also, not too many 'what the hell' moments that all families go through over Christmas. We all wanted this to be a special week with my mum, for it to be calm and happy. And for all mum forgets that we were with her for Christmas, keeps asking what I did over the holidays, I have those memories to keep and cherish. Knowing that I was honoured to have spent my mum's 'last' Christmas with her before the Alzheimer's robs us of her totally. For that I am truly grateful.
I have so many thoughts in my head at the moment that this blog could end up as a complete rambling mess, so I shall focus on my Christmas.
So many precious memories were made.
We spent Christmas with my beautiful Bex and her dashing Dan, and with my lovely mum. This year's Christmas was especially important to me because as I've said before, my lovely mum has Alzheimer's and is deteriorating faster than I would like; what child likes to see old age creep upon their parents. These are the two people who are meant to be around forever, that are invincible. They rescued you from the bogey man hiding under your bed, rubbed a dock leaf on your stinging nettle rash, held you when you cried because your first boyfriend broke your heart or you bumped your new car. I want my mum to be well and happy but she's 82 this year and all I can hope for is that she happy and well-cared for.
So we spent a 'last' family Christmas with her. Organising Christmas, or any family time, from so far away is never easy but I'm blessed to have Bex there who picks up the slack for me. She shops for me, helps me plan and order the food online. Wraps presents, cooks meals. Helps me tidy up and look after the family. She's my mini-me only prettier and younger and more sensible (sometimes!!). I could not have pulled off Christmas without her. Thank you.
The great thing is that mum knew it was Christmas and was looking forward to our time together. I had ordered most of the food and had it delivered, some we bought fresh closer to Christmas Eve. Bex and I went out and bought the widest, most Christmassy tree we could possibly fit into the mini, then she and Dan decorated it. Mum sat wide eyed as she watched it being put up and decorated; she couldn't believe how big it was, exclaiming that it was nearly as big as the room. A tad concerned about how it was going to get out of the house and dropping needles but never the less loving having a real tree again. And for me this Christmas was all about giving my mum a Christmas like all of our childhood ones and the Christmases we enjoyed as a family, grandparents and grandchildren all together. Which between us is exactly what happened. We gave my mum, Bex and myself a Christmas to remember. Not loud or busy because that would have been too much for my lovely mum, but family traditions quietly done together.
Mum isn't really able to drink too much but I made mulled wine each evening, allowing her a glass. I remember how much she and dad loved mulled wine; that as soon as I could smell it infusing the house I knew Christmas had really arrived. That and champagne cocktails on Christmas morning! There's something about the smells of Christmas that can evoke so many memories. Mulled wine, the scent of a real tree, even your Christmas roast smells different from any other roast throughout the year.
The obligatory Polar Express on Christmas Eve, also enjoyed by Bex's friend Hannah who joined us on Skype from Plymouth to watch it with us. This is the perfect film for Christmas Eve as its all about believing and holding onto the magic of your childhood, something that is hard to do when life happens to you. My favourite bit being the hot chocolate scene on the train!! Stockings appearing at the end of the bed on Christmas morning (as we've never had 'the' conversation about Father Christmas it means that we are still able to believe in the magic of stockings). Mum loved opening her stocking and then neatly put everything back in! We tried to give her small gifts that she could use because we didn't want her to become overwhelmed or confused by it all. The Grinch as we opened presents left under the tree. Champagne and crackers, roast dinner and sprouts. Followed by the most amazing Christmas cake made by Bex. If you go onto her IG page you can see it. Incredible.
Also, not too many 'what the hell' moments that all families go through over Christmas. We all wanted this to be a special week with my mum, for it to be calm and happy. And for all mum forgets that we were with her for Christmas, keeps asking what I did over the holidays, I have those memories to keep and cherish. Knowing that I was honoured to have spent my mum's 'last' Christmas with her before the Alzheimer's robs us of her totally. For that I am truly grateful.