a Nativity set from travels in Guatemala
Christmas came early this year. When December 25th finally rolls around, there will be no Dreaming of a White Christmas. There will be no need to Haul out the Holly. Nobody will have to Deck a Hall or trim a tree. (Okay, to be honest, the tree was decorated weeks ago.) But, I have no need to stuff a stocking, hear a Sleigh Bell Jingle, Dash through the Snow (or mall), Repeat the Sounding Joy, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Make the Spirits Bright, care about who's Naughty or Nice, Jingle All the Way or give one hoot about a Fa, La, La at all. No, like I said, Christmas came early and I already have enough to make my Days Merry and Bright.
I had a trip to the ho - ho - ho - spital.
I know, nobody wants that under their Christmas tree. But, consider the alternatives. It could have been a very long Silent Night. My blood pressure was out of control. It was Up on the Housetop - or higher - with stroke numbers. It didn't help that my blood pressure cuff was really inaccurate. (Hopefully, the replacement was made by a much more skillful elf.)
It wasn't like I was ignoring the problem. I've been going to the doctor for months, trying new prescriptions and dosages in an attempt to correct things. They just weren't working like they should. I was asked about a list of symptoms (that I didn't have) but advised that if I had a headache, nausea, vomiting or dizziness, to jump in my sleigh, red PT Cruiser or ambulance and get to an emergency room right away. And, the day after my last medical visit (actually that very night), I had the beginning of a headache that just didn't want me to have any Peace on Earth. It was a "hold your head in bed" kind of an ache. By the next afternoon, it was time to go Away in a Hospital and forget the Manger. It was probably well past that time.
Still, I wasn't totally sure if going to the hospital was the right thing to do. But, when the blood pressure machine registered 229/112, it set off an alarm and the doctor said I made the right choice. Joy to the World!
This Christmas gift included an ambulance ride and an overnight in the hospital. But, I've been home a few days, my numbers are terrific and All is Calm, All is Bright. I'm not sure if the Weary World Rejoices, but I certainly am. This Christmas gift did not include a lot of things that can be the result of a stroke. It's a long list that includes paralysis, problems with speech, language, swallowing and eating, reduced cognitive ability, visual problems, loss of ability for self-care, behavioral changes and - most certainly - depression. There is also the possibility of coma or death. None of those bring Good Will To Men or add even one Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum to your Christmas cheer. But, I have none of those "gifts" so it Tis the Season to Be Jolly!
It truly feels like a second chance in life when I didn't even know the first chance was about up. I know my guardian angel always works overtime. I just didn't realize I had to make him work so hard close to home as well in far corners of the globe. I plan to sing Hark, the Herald Angels Sing with a little more gusto this year.
There are so many things that I'm looking forward to in the coming year. I have international mural projects in the works for both the Caribbean and Africa! If that isn't enough to give you a Holly, Jolly Christmas, I don't know what will do it for you. In the coming months, I have the idea for a children's book that I want to illustrate. When it comes out, please Go Tell It on the Mountain.
But for now, I plan to sit back and enjoy the season. After all, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. My tree is up with the latest set of ornaments I've created. This year's set are alligator eggs, so the theme was naturally, "See You Later!" I've illustrated each one with destinations around the world that I hope to see later. Visiting any or all of them would be wonderful, but none of them were on my list for All I Want for Christmas. I already have that. I have my health and a chance to go forth and continue doing some amazing things in the coming year. I don't need anything else.
I had a trip to the ho - ho - ho - spital.
I know, nobody wants that under their Christmas tree. But, consider the alternatives. It could have been a very long Silent Night. My blood pressure was out of control. It was Up on the Housetop - or higher - with stroke numbers. It didn't help that my blood pressure cuff was really inaccurate. (Hopefully, the replacement was made by a much more skillful elf.)
It wasn't like I was ignoring the problem. I've been going to the doctor for months, trying new prescriptions and dosages in an attempt to correct things. They just weren't working like they should. I was asked about a list of symptoms (that I didn't have) but advised that if I had a headache, nausea, vomiting or dizziness, to jump in my sleigh, red PT Cruiser or ambulance and get to an emergency room right away. And, the day after my last medical visit (actually that very night), I had the beginning of a headache that just didn't want me to have any Peace on Earth. It was a "hold your head in bed" kind of an ache. By the next afternoon, it was time to go Away in a Hospital and forget the Manger. It was probably well past that time.
Still, I wasn't totally sure if going to the hospital was the right thing to do. But, when the blood pressure machine registered 229/112, it set off an alarm and the doctor said I made the right choice. Joy to the World!
This Christmas gift included an ambulance ride and an overnight in the hospital. But, I've been home a few days, my numbers are terrific and All is Calm, All is Bright. I'm not sure if the Weary World Rejoices, but I certainly am. This Christmas gift did not include a lot of things that can be the result of a stroke. It's a long list that includes paralysis, problems with speech, language, swallowing and eating, reduced cognitive ability, visual problems, loss of ability for self-care, behavioral changes and - most certainly - depression. There is also the possibility of coma or death. None of those bring Good Will To Men or add even one Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum to your Christmas cheer. But, I have none of those "gifts" so it Tis the Season to Be Jolly!
It truly feels like a second chance in life when I didn't even know the first chance was about up. I know my guardian angel always works overtime. I just didn't realize I had to make him work so hard close to home as well in far corners of the globe. I plan to sing Hark, the Herald Angels Sing with a little more gusto this year.
There are so many things that I'm looking forward to in the coming year. I have international mural projects in the works for both the Caribbean and Africa! If that isn't enough to give you a Holly, Jolly Christmas, I don't know what will do it for you. In the coming months, I have the idea for a children's book that I want to illustrate. When it comes out, please Go Tell It on the Mountain.
But for now, I plan to sit back and enjoy the season. After all, It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. My tree is up with the latest set of ornaments I've created. This year's set are alligator eggs, so the theme was naturally, "See You Later!" I've illustrated each one with destinations around the world that I hope to see later. Visiting any or all of them would be wonderful, but none of them were on my list for All I Want for Christmas. I already have that. I have my health and a chance to go forth and continue doing some amazing things in the coming year. I don't need anything else.
Since the eggs are alligator, I had to paint one on this first ornament. The setting is in the Galapagos Islands. The most well-known geographical location in the islands is Pinnacle Rock. If you swim through the shark-infested waters (as I did) and go to the other side, you'll find the Galapagos penguins.
When December 25th rolls around in your corner of the planet, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. I don't need anything else. I'm blessed enough as it is, just a little early.
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