Best Christmas Ever

Adult children. I have two. Both would fit on the spectrum and both have ADD and my son ADHD. I myself, would fit on the spectrum somewhere but I have learn some coping skills to assist me through daily life. However, for the first time in many years we were able to have the Holiday season together and I got to look at my children in a whole new light.

This writing is more for me than you but I decided to be real and place it here. Since 2009, my children have lived with me then moved on. At this time, my son is living here with his "lady" friend. His friend has gotten them kicked out of three living situation. So, "Lady" is in question. One of those living situations was my daughter's home. The lady friend was evicted and not allowed back at my daughter's house. I gave up hope. I gave up hope in having a holiday with my children.

November rolled by with the division strong. Poison still spilled from my daughter's lips. The line was drawn and my daughter refused my invitation to Thanksgiving. The ghost of gloom toyed at my mental well-being as I surrendered to the fact I wouldn't see my babies at my table this year.

When I woke the next day, I began to throw down a breakfast that was meant to hold everyone over until the turkey would fill them again. By noon, I was already throwing the turkey was in the oven. Once the door closed the phone rang in the other room. I rushed to the phone just to hear a sweet lady asking us to pick up our turkey dinner. With great confusion, my son rushed off to get the turkey. When he came back, he brought a full turkey meal and set it on the table and went back to the car for a second box. Two full meals delivered to our door. I surrendered to the table chair and began to assess the abundance before us. Technically, we had three full meals sitting in front of us. There was no reason for anyone to be hungry after this Thanks giving meal.

As I had mentioned before, my son and his lady are staying at my home. When we made the turkey arrangement, we were in separate homes with very different plans. One of Life's hiccups landed the kids at my home the week before Thanksgiving. I stood as I watched the kids bear their storm until their world crashed into homelessness right before winter. Through all the commotion, I had forgotten about the turkey pick up. I had forgotten that there would be two turkeys flying at me that day.

After a quick phone call to my daughter, one turkey meal was on it's way to feed my grandbabies. I turn to assess what was given and was was already prepared. Three Different types of squash, two stuffing (mine and theirs), raised rolls and hot biscuits, berry pie, pumpkin pie, cranberry (can of jelly and whole berry treat). I shook my head and thought, "I know my daughter is making a meal like mine. I better stop her." I called my daughter to tell her what was on the way to her.

After my phone call, I waited for my son to return. Hours went by and I messaged my daughter to check on them. All was well. They just needed time together. I was okay with that. I just needed to know that my son was safe. Seeing that I no longer had to cook anything else, my brother Howard and I slumbered in our recliners for the remaining afternoon. Four hours later, my son walked through the door and his smile finally returned.

What happened this year? I mean Thanksgiving happened and then it was Christmas. I didn't even have time to send out Christmas cards. The furry of winter raged on and on and caused my children and I to labor with snow removal. Non-stop storms sent us out shoveling morning, noon, and night. One night, I woke to see my children shoveling at 3 AM. One storm came and we cleared, we shopped and the storm came and hit again.

Seeing that we were snowed in, we began the daunting task of packing my mother's things away as we brought out her Christmas things for their last hurrah in the Chingwa house. We labored and toiled, scrubbed and sorted, and I decided it was time to migrate and moved my office to my mother's old room. Then, the next round of mess began.

"Stupid is as Stupid does." Isn't that what Forrest Gump Says? All I am going to say is this. If One has a bad back, One should not be moving a library of books up and down flights of steps. Stupid is as stupid does. I was knocked down with cringing pain as I crawled to the chiropractor for help. With a snap crackle and pop, help came and I rested on ice packs for the days coming up on Christmas.

I am a Gemini and I do not like to be bored. Back in October, I began to organize a Christmas party for the Door Dashers in Northern Michigan. Gifts were collected from local business. Dashers could receive gift certificates, hats, gloves, pizza bags, hot bags, cash donations and flashlights. Plans were full force and the money to finish the final touches were on the line. That's when the storm raged and tore the party plans to pieces. Second storm hit and I was blessed by the establishment when they released me from the contract for the hall. This event sent my mind to whirl. "What do I do with all these gifts?", said I.

One little, two little, three little candy canes were wrapped with their special tag and numbered then they were matched to a gift. My back was good enough to drive and my son was willing to deliver the food so we got onto the schedule and began our mission of Dasher Stalking. While we were at the restaurant for a pick up, we waited for another dasher to appear. When they did, we would have them pull their numbered candy canes and we would give them their gifts.

I was amazed at the reaction of the other Dashers. The grumpy hurried ones were so happy when they ran off with their new flashlight. One of our homeless dashers was happy with the new hat and gloves. Certificate after certificate left our hands and I witnessed a dasher enjoying his hot sandwich that he bought with the gift certificate he won. Our phone would "Bling" which was our sign to stalk another Door Dasher, I mean, to pick up another order.

One thing I am thankful for is the fact that stores close for the holidays. This forced my son and I to stop and enjoy the holiday. I woke to a message, that read, "I am coming home today and will go home Christmas night. Will you come and get me?" Dear Reader, that was the happiest 30 minute drive I had made in years! There wasn't any food order big enough to distract me from getting my babies. I was so happy everything closed so I was open to receive this gift.

Decorating for Christmas was delayed. Stunted to a fault. The bins lingered in the shadows for days. Every time we would begin, we would be called off to take care of other business. As we rushed to finish the decorations my daughter hung our matching Christmas Angel tree topper. She placed the ornaments she made for her grandmother on the tree. I watched as her hands lovingly touched the smooshed hand ornament at her 4 months old marker. She really doted on the tree knowing it will be the last time. The delay wasn't for me. The delay was for her and her goodbyes.

The scent of pies filled the air as we laid the final touches on the perfect Santa cookies. Once they were place on the plate alongside milk and carrots, we escorted the littles to bed. Seconds later my little man was asleep. I watched him, just for a moment, until he took a deep sigh and snuggled in to his deep rest. Like Houdini, I escaped the grips of the air mattress without waking my grandson. As I looked at my sleeping men in the room, I smiled for they are excited for Santa to come. It was time for the Christmas magic to begin.

They, the men in my life. Other than my Grandson is my brother Howard. I lovingly call him King or grumpy old man. Since he has lived in the care home, he has become bossy like a king. He came home for a visit too. He and I sat together in the house where we were raised. He loves Christmas music so while we had quiet times we sat together and just listened to the old tunes. The oldies. Just us two rocking it out and dosing off into a restful slumber as the turkey and ham cooked in the oven.

Now, I am ahead of myself. Christmas morning the King woke. "Good Morning Everybody! It's Christmas!"

My head swirled with sleep as my eyes creaked open to darkness I searched for my phone. I shield my eyes from the light as I read 4:34 AM. The King, one must remember, will be the biggest 5 year old you'll ever meet. He maybe 75 this year, but he is still 5. He wants his stocking, his presents, all the cookies, cakes and treats that any five year old would want. I was so thankful he was willing to go back to sleep when I told him to. Ya never know if the kids are going to rest as they wait for Santa. I closed my eyes and drifted off for a few more hours.

When I finally surrendered on Christmas Eve. Cookies needed to be done and stocking stuffed. I was just done and needed rest. I had no choice but to leave the rest up to my kids. I drifted off to sleep listening to the adult children laughing and visiting as they completed the finishing touches. That was all the Christmas gift I needed as I drifted off to sleep. My babies and family were together again.

When I woke, I was alone as I made my way through the house. The lights sparkled and danced like fairies around the room. The tree's glow was warm and festive. Santa had indeed come. Stockings were stuffed and presents appeared under the tree. Treats and cookies lined the table. I smiled for my adult children achieved a miracle this Christmas.

Now, I love my kids but they are prone to squirrel moments. One minute they are on task the next they are off playing bubbles with the babies. As cute and enduring as that may be, I had serious doubts they were going to make Christmas happen. Yet, there I stood, in the magic of Christmas. It all was picture perfect. I sure I would have gotten a headache watching them work together to make this a magical moment for us all.

The first shuffle echoes through the house. The scurry of little feet move through the kitchen and dining room to stand next to his Grandma's Chair. With a flip of my blanket he climbed into my lap and snuggled in as I tucked the blanket around him. My grandson and I sat, that Christmas morning. No sound, just us watching the lights dance around the room. We drifted off to sleep until the sun woke many in the house.

The rule of Christmas morning. You can open your stocking but nothing else. Presents will be opened after breakfast. This year, I had no control of what went into the stockings. My son and his lady had to do all the stocking stuff as I sat on ice. For the first time in years, my stocking was a surprise too! Mom's never get that. I helped my grandson with his stocking then I moved onto mine.

When was the last time you were able to just be a kid at Christmas? The mystery, the intrigue of all the possibilities. As I look back at this Christmas, my naughty back allowed me the deliciousness of not knowing what was in the packages and stocking. Seeing that I had to give up control to my children, they chose to keep everything a secret from me. For the first time in years, the mystery came back.

I trusted that I raised my children to give other's happiness on Christmas. Little meaningful things are often more appreciated than one would expect. Oh the creativity I pulled from the stocking. I had a feeling the stocking were going to be fun because my son and his lady were tied up in my office for two days! Candy and cards. Trinkets and book marks. Gift certificates and frosty's for a year. Everything was hand made or decorated. I was impressed! I really was!

Dosey Doe and away we go! Everyone Go to your Corner, Ready, Set and go!

Seriously dear reader. As a mother of ADHD and ADD children one learns how to manage their child's levels of activity. One child loves to cook and is very content in doing so. The other plays with the children so the cooking can be done. As the parent, I know I have a limited amount of productivity time between the two. I myself have a limited productivity time too. I had no idea how long I was going to last on my feet. I had a small window of time so I grabbed my daughter and food slinging began.

Chef and sous chef surmise the kitchen and the menu. We are pros. Well, we know each other's strength and what we like to cook. Clanging pots and laughter rang through the rooms as bacon baked to a nice brown and sausage sizzled on the griddle. Scrambled eggs, French toast, fried potatoes, and fresh fruit lined the countertops for everyone to feast on. We really do make a good pair of chef's.

Fat and jolly we roll into the living room to open gifts. Christmas was for the children this year. We all had one gift to open but the kids had many. Paper flew and toys were revealed and the kids danced with happiness. The king sat happily surrounded by his treasures as he chewed on his coveted gum. Fat and happy we lingered just chatting as families do on Christmas mornings.

The dishes where done and one meal was done. The next meal was on stage. Turkey Breast and Ham, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, yams, cranberry sauce, and a few other sides. Hannah was amazing and lasted longer than I did. We were tag teaming the meal and table setting as our tired bodies would allow. It wasn't long and we all settled into our dining places. The silence at a table says it all. Everyone enjoying another meal together.

As the sun set on the horizon, I bid my babies good bye and watched them drive away. I laid my tobacco in thanks for I asked for the best Christmas ever, and I received just that.