Merry Holidays and all that.

So, I'm at home (mum's) and my grandfather has come down from the mountains to stay over Christmas. Now, we though he'd be here for Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but no. He's decided on today until the day after Boxing Day. My mum's been saying, "Oh, it's because he's lonely," and stuff like that, which I don't doubt is true, but he's one of the most difficult people in the world. And, for a gift of hipocracy, my mum's walking around mumbling about how she wishes he wasn't staying four days, etc. I just told her that it's her opportunity to be both patient and gracious. And anyway, she likes a challenge.

Tomorrow morning my brother and I are off to our father's for Christmas Eve. Ordinarily we'd be spending the night because we alternate year to year between our parents' houses, but dad's working on Christmas Day which kind of sucks the fun out. So, we're cramming the festivities into one day. Brill. Also my paternal grandmother will be there, too, which is both good and difficult. Pre-dementia she was a devout Jehovah's Witness and didn't celebrate Christmas, but now she's really into it and all full of Chrissy spirit, which is amusing. Lots of stories from her childhood, which is great for us because we get a chance to piece together family history this way. It's also difficult because, as one might expect, she's a completely different person (at least to us) and that's hard to deal with.

Late tomorrow night we're back home and everyone will be over for Christmas Day lunch. Hopefully it'll go off without a hitch.

It is my aim to be conscious and aware of my family over this next few days, and to be forgiving of their shortcomings, however irritating, and find that place inside that is grateful for having them in my life. It's unfortunate that it took the death of storyfan's father to really bring this home to me.

I hope, no matter where you are or how you're spending your time or what your family is like, that through the holidays you're able to see through the seasonal schtick and find something to be grateful about and find a way to be giving of yourself. One never knows what's around the corner so we must take all the opportunities that cross our paths.

Happy holidays. My thoughts are with you all.

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