The Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring,
‘Cause they were all at the hospital.

Well, briefly anyway.

Our evening was off to a startled start, after Allison required immediate medical attention. This goes back to last Tuesday, when Allison had to have minor emergency surgery to eliminate some major pain. The incision she received was not sutured closed (as per the type of surgery).

This evening, it gave her a bit of trouble. Allison had been instructed to visit Emergency in the event her wound acted up. As it stands, it was a normal (in the sense that most people who get that kind of surgery often have some kind of trouble) and we went home.

Then it was off to Allison’s grandparents for the traditional Christmas Eve visit. This, of course, is a new thing for me. I’ve never been through a Collins (or Vailmont) Christmas before — I really didn’t know what to expect.

Singing. I should have seen it coming.

Carols, to many of which I have since forgotten the words; some I’d never even heard before. Mrs. Collins and Grandma Vailmont were belting out the majority of the lyrics, although we had a small argument about the words to “Frosty the Snowman”.

Tomorrow is my first Christmas away from my family. So yes, it does hurt a little. My parents and my sister aren’t by my side (or me by theirs). And due to Allison’s aforementioned surgery, we won’t see them this holiday season at all.

Originally, we had planned to visit Florida on vacation, and would spend some time with them. However, Allison’s doctor has effectively forbade her from travelling for six weeks (now five). So we had to cancel our flight. Needless to say, I’m really glad that for the first time, I bought flight insurance.

At least we could travel to the Island, even if we had to sit in the ferry lineup for (are you ready for this?) four hours. And we were there early.

Which reminds me of a detail I keep forgetting. Many of you have wondered when we’re getting married. You know that we got engaged, but the date kept changing. It’s official: 26 August 2000. The wheels are in motion. So why does taking the ferry remind me of the wedding? Those of you who will be driving will want reservations so you don’t have to experience sitting in a lineup for hours on end. It’s particularly bad in the summer.

Anyway, Christmas is fast approaching. But I’m doing just fine. Sure, I miss my family, but I’ve got an extended one here that cares for me. It’s great to feel wanted, particularly after years of making myself feel otherwise.

So for those of you who get this on Christmas Day, I wish you a very Merry Christmas (or Happy Holidays, depending on which you prefer). For the rest of you, I hope you had a great time.

Expect more within 24 hours…