This is my fourth Christmas after my ALS diagnosis. This was the one I was most afraid of. Because of course my mobility is getting more difficult by the day, and living in Ottawa, the winters can be a nightmare. When it snows, I am stuck inside. I do have my power wheelchair, though the snowbanks on either side when I'm trucking along the sidewalk are often higher than me, and when I reach the end, of course a street snowplow has come along and pushed snow against the end of the sidewalk creating a wall impossible to cross. I am waiting for someone to invent a snowplow wheelchair so I can make my own way! Due to lack of circulation, my feet often turn purple, and the cold literally shuts down my body. At Christmas, I miss my brother, I miss my Granny, I miss Nemo.
But my attitude has changed. We are headed to Newburgh to see Heather & Andy, and they are coming to visit us in December as well! It is my parents and my cousin's first Christmas in Ottawa. Travis & I are going to a Christmas Tree Farm in Pakenham to choose a tree, and he has learned his lesson about not sawing through knots! Good friends joining us Christmas Eve, and mom's Christmas apps (as in appetizers not iPhone icons) are what make me happy. So despite my initial fears, I can't help but be excited about the season. Travis maybe not so much as he has to put up with me telling him exactly in which spot to put the ornaments ("in front of the light!", "the little ones at the top!", "the polar bear beside the picture of Nemo!") and again cooking over 200 turkeys at work. Nevertheless, we know the importance of cherishing moments and appreciating what we have together. With so many friends and family to celebrate the season with, this is what I most cherish.
We wish you a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season, full of appreciation, laughter and love.
For those who are interested, check out the ALS Canada Holiday Campaign featuring Travis & I on the media page of this blog.
But my attitude has changed. We are headed to Newburgh to see Heather & Andy, and they are coming to visit us in December as well! It is my parents and my cousin's first Christmas in Ottawa. Travis & I are going to a Christmas Tree Farm in Pakenham to choose a tree, and he has learned his lesson about not sawing through knots! Good friends joining us Christmas Eve, and mom's Christmas apps (as in appetizers not iPhone icons) are what make me happy. So despite my initial fears, I can't help but be excited about the season. Travis maybe not so much as he has to put up with me telling him exactly in which spot to put the ornaments ("in front of the light!", "the little ones at the top!", "the polar bear beside the picture of Nemo!") and again cooking over 200 turkeys at work. Nevertheless, we know the importance of cherishing moments and appreciating what we have together. With so many friends and family to celebrate the season with, this is what I most cherish.
We wish you a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season, full of appreciation, laughter and love.
For those who are interested, check out the ALS Canada Holiday Campaign featuring Travis & I on the media page of this blog.
Santa Travis and Santa Nemo sharing the love!
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