Reaching Beyond Myself

Christmas was a whirlwind. I was going to give you a lengthy "year in review" for our family, but I'm quite drained after yesterday's events. Christmas 2007 was like mixing oil and water in our house. Normal traditions of candlelight service, certain heavenly snacks were thrown by the wayside as we were all drained from life. So Christmas eve was different for us, not bad, just different. Then Christmas morning. Our children were up at 3:50, ready to go.....we quickly ushered them back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep. Promptly at 5:50 a.m. we were up again, only this time, there would be no more sleep. Lots of giggles, tearing paper and a gazillion presents later and Christmas was underway. Happy hearts, warm fuzzy feelings, then the phone rings. It's my sister. By the end of our conversation I found myself wondering, had she hung up on me? After leaving a message for her to call me back and hearing nothing. I went on throughout our day. Naps, breakfast traditions of cinnamon rolls, watching White Christmas and playing with gifts......it's was memorable. Then I call my sister back. After our heated discussion which inevitably led to me hanging up on her (not something I'm proud of and wish I could take back) I'm here. The day after Christmas, haven't spoken to her since. She's removed me from her facebook account and it seems has cut me out of her life (something she swore she would never do) So I feel kinda naked and alone. Like a piece of my heart has been trampled on and I'm not sure what to do about the whole situation? Why is it so easy for the negative to outshine the positive sometimes?

As for our family update. We figured out that in 2007, we've lived in 3 different states this year alone. I've gone from a stay-at-home mom to a full-time working mom. Jeff went from a seriously stressed out construction superintendent to a happy, fulfilled Bible college student. My daughter started school, our son transitioned into daycare. I have made peace with my mom after a lifetime of hurt. I've come to appreciate my family in all their dysfunction. I'm thankful for the few friendships that have remain true through all of our journeys through these different states and life changes. With all this change to now lose a sister whom I cherished is extremely difficult for me......
So Christmas was definately a mixed bag of nuts for us this year......