The Holidays

The Holidays have treated me well this year. Not too many reasons for complaint. I have become accustomed to sleeping well into the day, I managed my way up to the mountain once, and I have been fortunate to see many good friends and family over the course of my break.

Though there has been the traditional rush of purchasing gifts, wrapping them in wasteful paper and bundling up to face the cold some things have managed to go against tradition and normalcy this winter 2006. My dad was diagnosed with lymphoma for the second time in 30 years. All this after a slow and miserable 4 months of illness and many Doctor's confusion. "He is fine!" "We just aren't sure." "We think we've got it!" A missed sign of cancer back in September and a new cane bought in December. Needless to say this merry season has been altered slightly.

Many of you may know that McLain Christmas merriment is often noted by excessive family get-togethers and tired complaints from yours truly about these never ending events. This year, though, I rather missed them. Funny how such exasperating customs can become missed so rapidly and make you a traditionalist when they end.

So the Holiday was recognized on the 25th and no more. The morning was difficult. It found my dad with a fever and severe fatigue. We opened presents and tried to make it nice and calm. We then opted out of our yearly venture to the city of Tigard where we share in a ritual egg concoction brunch with my Dad's side of the family. Dad was too sick and tired. Melissa and I didn't want to go by ourselves.

Everything turned normal for most of the day once my mom started getting stressed and frustrated at us though. We cleaned and cooked and arranged presents under the tree in preparation for my nieces and nephews on their way to entertain us. Dad slept for most of the morning and woke up feeling much better and able to handle a day of holiday stress. I even made the stuffing and helped in the kitchen this year.

The whole family passed most of the time watching the kids run around with toys and the occassional shuffle or misunderstanding that arises at the ages of 2-7. Aubrey was an adorable princess while Ryan and Jackson made friends with a lifesize batman from Melissa and I. At one point while they were running around in the other room we heard adorable Aubry break down into a fit of tears. She ran into the living room, with her crown and pink boa waving behind her. She waved her wand crying that she couldn't be a princess anymore. Apparently Jackson had said something to this effect. Jackson cleared things up when he explained that he had only meant to ask WHY she would WANT to be a princess while he apoligized to Aubrey.

Kelly brought the poker chips and some of us took part in this new tradition of $5 dollar buy ins and competitive play. The money went home to Derek's house...again, while I managed to be chastised for my play by my 15 year old niece. Derek put her in her place when he exclaimed "What? You get some chips in front of you and all of a sudden you are giving advice to the whole table?" Not that this indictment stopped Derek and Kelly from their shit talking about my play. Anyway, I enjoyed some of it and approve of the tradition.

This merriment ended late and left me with a full stomach ready for a nap.

As I write this my Dad and Mom have just left for Dad's second round of radiation. I hope it kills that cancer dead. Things are different. Being home is usually marked by long conversations, laughs and trips with my dad. This year hasn't been that way. There will be a spark of a conversation while we watch the news, but when I turn back to say something he has fallen asleep, or a new fever has consumed him. He is in prison, chained to his chair and locked inside this illness. I hate it. But he has beat it once and he will beat it again. This is just quite new and different for me.

Like I said when this started, this break really has treated me well. I am thankful for my good friends from the Grove, and the wonderful times we have shared this winter while I look forward to even more to come.

This life is a challenge, but damn wonderful at the same time.