Juggling Act » holiday season http://myjugglingact.com Balancing the demands of aging mom and teen daughter Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:02:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Enjoying family time http://myjugglingact.com/2009/12/24/enjoying-family-time/ http://myjugglingact.com/2009/12/24/enjoying-family-time/#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:56:22 +0000 israelm http://jugglingact.weareblackwomen.com/?p=321
  • Decorating with mom
  • Spending time at the library
  • Enjoying spring fever
    • ]]>     We waited in a long line of cars for nearly two hours to drive through the four-mile Festival of Lights, the back seat crowded with my daughter and two nephews. One of my sisters sat with me in the front. 

    We sang Christmas songs for a while. My daughter and teenage nephew teased the six-year-old. My sister dozed off. Finally, as we entered the magical light show the car erupted into a chorus of oohs and ahhs. For more than an hour we enjoyed the display of sparkling snowflakes that seemed to fall from the trees, the elves shooting fireworks, the lighted deer sprinting through the forest, the tall flickering candles surrounded by poinsettias and more. lights

    We savored the million or so sparkling lights in this traditional celebration of the Christmas season. No one complained when we finally finished the show at 12:30 in the morning and still had to ride for at least 30 minutes to start dropping folks off at home. We had enjoyed our family time, laughing and talking and just enjoying each other’s company. 

    That’s what makes the Christmas holidays special and memorable. 

    Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family time.

    Related posts:

    1. Decorating with mom
    2. Spending time at the library
    3. Enjoying spring fever

    ]]>     http://myjugglingact.com/2009/12/24/enjoying-family-time/feed/ 0     Decorating with mom http://myjugglingact.com/2009/12/14/decorating-with-mom/ http://myjugglingact.com/2009/12/14/decorating-with-mom/#comments Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:12:14 +0000 israelm http://myjugglingact.com/?p=295
  • Enjoying family time
  • Accepting my mom’s shrinking world
  • Finding a new hairdresser
    • ]]>     The last time I helped with the Christmas decorations at the house where I grew up I was in college. I did it again over the weekend with my mother but this time I savored those special moments. 

    Christmas music was playing – tunes by Ray Charles, the Drifters, The Jackson Five and others. I put wreaths on the front door and on two of the outside windows. My mom unwrapped the smaller items—a couple bouquets of silk flower poinsettias, some trinkets from her grandchildren, a few Santas and other whatnots—and lovingly placed them around the living room and den. It was simple and festive. She left many of the decorations in the storage boxes. There was no Christmas tree. xmas

    My nearly 80-year-old mother moved slowly and carefully. Because of surgery a little over two months ago, she’s able to walk now without a cane or other assistance. She was happy. 

    Later in the day, I ran some errands for Mom, picking up some groceries and miscellaneous items. I also did some cleaning, with help from my soon-to-be 15-year-old daughter. 

    It was a nice weekend. Now that I’ve moved back to North Carolina, I won’t miss any more Christmas decorating days.  

    Soul Rhythms blogger Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb and I are trying to shrink our belly fat in a six-month Melt the Middle challenge. Be sure to join us.

    Related posts:

    1. Enjoying family time
    2. Accepting my mom’s shrinking world
    3. Finding a new hairdresser

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