Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Merry Eve of Christmas Eve

I think the eve of Christmas Eve should be its own holiday, the time that every desperate slacker is running to the mall or calling stores to see if they have that one single item you've promised your child for the last 6 months that Santa would bring only to find out the one you lost in New York is the last one in existence on the entire Earth!!! I'm not thinking of anything too specific and I know I speak for all of you on that issue. Well that was me today with a limited window allowed by a nurse at the house and my parents watching the kiddos. I scrambled hitting close to a dozen stores in about 2.5 hours and then brought everything back to the office where little elves (sorry Jamie and Domingo but you are short) with big hearts were nice enough to be on stand-by to wrap our presents for us. Please don't forget the big cool ones are from Daddy, the underwear is from Mom, and anything else can be from the big guy with deer (that's deer Kurt, not beer).

We have been home since Thursday afternoon, and the good news is that we had a good night last night. Hope slept pretty soundly (as did I for the first time in almost a month) only waking up 3 or 4 times during the night. The bad news is that the previous nights since we were home were worse than Chevy Chase's and Pat Sajak's attempts at late night TV shows. I'll just say I'm not going to change professions any time soon to home healthcare. Hope is comfortable most of the time, cognizant of her surroundings, able to have conversations via writing less and less, and unfortunately has increased pain and side effects like unbelievable swelling from her bottom lip to her neck. That is the tumor growing and a side effect from all the radiation and chemotherapy she has had over the years.

Our goal is to get her out into the living room on Christmas morning, party to see if she'll share some of her potent cocktails for New Year's Eve, and just savor every last morsel of time we have together. She's giving me less of a hard time, bossing everyone around and telling them exactly how everything needs to be done less, and is a shoo win for any Peter Griffin look-alike contests. She is sad more often, as are we. The kids are doing amazing with it all, enjoying their short visits with Mommy whenever they can. My brother and his two kids along with Brad/Rachel and their two kids will all be staying with us over the holidays helping out with the kiddos. Will and Anna and their two kids, and John and Esther and her double sized belly will also be here for Christmas.

Merry Eve of Christmas Eve to you all, and please this year try to think less about that perfect gift and think more about spending that perfect moment with your loved ones. Savor every moment, live to make sure you have no regrets, and make sure you tell them you love them so often they get sick of it. Count your blessings, not the items you don't have. Most importantly of all, HOPE your loved ones and your own healths stay as strong as Santa Claus' back. Love to all of you and thanks to everyone sending us good thoughts, mac and cheese, and thanks most of all for Ann-Marie, Rochelle and Cheryl showering with Hope as that was the one gift Santa could not bring to me.

Love,
- Just Jake.

11 comments:

Suz said...

Jake,
I am moved beyond words with your family's poignant journey. I pray the Lord Jesus will give you all His peace that passes all understanding. Thank you for allowing us to share your intensely private lives. The Lord bless Hope, the Lord bless you, and the Lord bless your children.
Suz

Jenny said...

Merry Christmas guys. Love y'all.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you! May it be filled with love and may all of you get lost in the laughter of those little ones. Treasured times and treasured memories for all of you.

Anonymous said...

Jake,
You are amazing. Merry Christmas Eve Eve. We will be celebrating with Joe's kids (minus Pat & Danielle) tomorrow (as well as with my folks & brothers & their gangs). Hope and the 3 Wise Men will be with us in spirit. We will all certainly be thinking of you! Have a nice Christmas Eve Eve and I hope we can catch up with you again before Christmas! We miss you!
Love, Jessica

Esther said...

We can't wait to spend Christmas with you all! We love you!!! By the way, we may have Zach with us. He's heading back to Iraq on Christmas day. He hasn't decided yet what he wants to do.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas Wise Family!
Lon, Melissa & Brandon

Anonymous said...

Jake, what a beautiful reminder of what this holiday should be all about. Thank you again for sharing. I hope you have the most cherished Christmas ever. Love, Jennifer P

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that you guys had a good night! Have a very Merry Christmas We love you guys.

-=Traci, Mark & Declin

Anonymous said...

Jake, Thanks for the reminder on what Christmas is all about. In the hustle and bustle of life, it is so easy to forget! Hope and the three Wise man are often in my prays and will be on Christmas! I hope Santa brings you all peace and happiness and as you have reminded us, that is what is really important!

Anonymous said...

Our hearts are with you on this Christmas Eve. We love you and wish we could all be together.

Aunt Lois and Uncle Cliff

Jamie said...

Our hearts and prayers are with you all...