Friday, December 26, 2008

The day after

Well, as my father used to say, "Christmas is as far away as it will ever be". This was his comment for the day after Christmas. Today does have that "day after" feeling about it.

Christmas Day itself was a day filled with some ups and downs. The early morning of Christmas Day started with watching the Christmas mass from St. Peter's basilica. I'm not Catholic but the beauty of that mass, the little children from around the world, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus is the best way to start Christmas day.

Later in the morning, we took three cakes to the AA clubhouse where my wife attends meeting. I met some of the people that she knows. And there was a fellow sitting with his own thoughts. I heard him say that his family was driving him crazy, and it was a choice of going to a bar or coming to AA. He said that he already felt better after 20 minutes at the clubhouse.

For some reason, I found being there sad. It is a sort of dilapidated place in a rough neighborhood. There wasn't a tablecloth to put on the table. My wife commented that next year, we would bring red paper tablecloths, and a couple of poinsettias to make it more festive. But I think that the man who looked so despondent made me the saddest. Before my "let's fix him" thoughts got going, I realized that he isn't in a bar. He's where he needs to be. And he is among people who understand and will help because of that.

After getting back from AA, we finished up cooking. There was enough food for an army, even though we didn't make large portions. My wife's parents came over. They are in their upper 80's and have noticeably slowed down. Her dad enjoys sitting in a chair and reading the paper. Her mother has difficulty relaxing even at this age in life. I won't take her inventory but suffice to say that she is best taken in small doses.

We opened presents and had a nice meal. I was aware of the two empty chairs at the dining room table. My mother used to sit in one and my wife's aunt in the other. Once again, I thought that I want to have a house full of people who can share all the food that we prepare.

But then, I found that by the late afternoon of yesterday I'd had enough of people for a while, so I went for a ride in new Blue. It was a beautiful day with warm temperatures so it was nice to just drive.

Later, I visited some friends and watched a short movie that they are producing. One fellow is an actor and quite a good one. We had a lot of laughs over his role in the movie.

It was nice to come back to a quiet house, sit with my wife, and just reflect on the kaleidoscope that was Christmas Day.

15 comments:

  1. I'm glad your day was finished with peace. Mine was too, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.

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  2. I'm smiling thinking most people stay in one place all Christmas day, but you were all about.

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  3. the day after. sad a bit, yes. watched the news today, and it's a bit of a sa tradition for all and everyone to spend the day at the beach. the clips showed beaches covered in people and umbrellas, not sand. and then the sad bit, drownings, children lost, missing, robberies, it's too much reality too quickly it seems. mmm, this is quite depressing. sorry about that. i'm glad you had a good christmas though. and an enjoyable ride in blue.

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  4. Good for you for taking care of yourself Syd. Your dad's saying about the day after Christmas made me chuckle. And to the man who you saw at AA...I would have worried about him all day and probably invited him home with us. I still have a ways to go.

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  5. Sounds like a nice Christmas filled with mixed emotions. Enjoy your day and take another ride in Big Blue. Sounds like it suits you well!

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  6. .....I can relate to the UP & DOWN.. but I do hear the 'Recovery' in your words. You seem very conscious now of your feelings; and processing them to be at peace. You did turn the day into a good one.. with laughter. (sometimes friends are easier to be with .. they can make you laugh because less responsibility to them). I like people that keep busy with their interests and ZEST for Life.. in Al-Anon they say to stick with Winners. (as much as possible). Keep with Healthy people...... and keep the focus on you.

    I do also like the idea of adding a little festivity next year with the table cloth and flowers.... that would be SWEET. (and plenty of smiles too) :)

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  7. Every AA clubhouse I've ever been to has been as you described - yet they have a powerful feeling of serenity and peacefulness, regardless of their surroundings. They are, after all, a place of worship.
    I don't feel sad for the gentleman you described - he sought refuge, and found it.

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  8. Syd...this was such a beautiful entry! I love the fact that the man went to the AA clubhouse for some serenity! Good for him. I sooo understand the feeling of needing to rescue as I would have immediately felt that way as well. I am glad you just recognized the feeling and let it go! It sounds all and all it was a near perfect day for you..especially with Blue! Blessings, Lisa

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  9. I'm glad the guy was there at the AA clubhouse. They can and do look a bit shabby, but they are like the taj majal to those who need them. Glad you were there to provide some stability (and cake!)

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  10. Seems like sometimes in my life, that kaleidoscopic graphic is for every hour of every day.

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  11. Pleased you survived the day Syd. It think it should be called Expectations Day. I blame Charles Dickens. You described some sad and some happy moments in your day. But I think you got there in the end without letting the feelings overwhelm.

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  12. Learning to handle sobriety is the hardest thing many of us will ever do.
    Cheers!

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  13. Our dinner was at 1:00 but most family stayed til 9pm. It's nice though because my family is comfortable enough together that we can get tired together, sit around, fall asleep, watch Christmas movies, and we don't feel like we have to talk if we are just relaxing.

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  14. It sounds like a nice Christmas. You need to go to Europe for Christmas it last 4 days!

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