CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
We made it through the first holidays without FIL. That feels like a weight off shoulders.
Attended one holiday service and that was a lot for DH. Still "too big" a space even though he knows most of the people there.
All of us made space for a massage. I wonder if it should have been two -- one before the holiday crush and one right after? I could have used it.
Christmas was mixed. Better at a different in-law's house and not the old family homestead like Thanksgiving. We also showed up last and left first. DH is sticking with his 3 hour limit and it's working for him.
Youngest DD told me that she saw people overloading her dad and him not being able to say "no." He's got to work more on that. He's not the free therapist for his grieving siblings. I think they are all struggling somewhat but that doesn't mean unload on DH. Or if they ARE going to do that, do it just them, maybe even like online group session with a grief counselor. I can suggest but I won't organize that. He and his siblings have to find their way. Either together or separate or both.
Even though he was initially resistant? Probably because of anxiety? DH agreed to hotel if the others wanted it. So I made it happen.
We left the party and 15 min later were checking in. He liked our suite and cheered up that he didn't have to drive long distance again so soon. We had plenty of party leftovers and brought a holiday tin of popcorn. There were hotel toys to play with if people wanted --- pool, gym, 24 hr mini shop, etc. Everyone holed up to watch holiday movies and just sleeeeeep. We all had our own beds. He told me got the best sleep he's had in all this grieving time. I think part of it was having a comfortable bed and part of it was being past holiday events with his family where he keeps getting cornered by siblings. There's deathiversary and then all the "firsts" are done.
Youngest DD told me she was cranky still but a lot LESS cranky. She loved having a hotel. She loved her dad being able to decompress.
For me it was a mixed bag. My body appreciated splitting the long drive so we didn't have to do it all in one day. And I'm glad it made it easier on the other two even if it made more work on me with the holiday cooking and hotel reservations and being emotionally present. Both thanked me for doing it, and that is appreciated but I'm pooping out on grief support.
We did my family on Boxing Day and that was a lot more chill. Dad is definitely slowing down and less verbal but seemed to have a good time. I think next year I want to do my side first and in-laws second. Start suggesting everyone do Christmas on their own and gather together for New Year's or something. Like mix it up already. A lot of the things we did/do as a family are actually leftovers from MIL and FIL who are now deceased. Sitting around for hours eating -- that was needed with elders with oxygen tank and canes and all that. There is only so much they could do and feel included. But can't we do something ELSE now? Go ice skating or meet up to do holiday lights and walk around? Mix it up? More active things?
That's what bothers me. Sitting around on the long drive. Then sitting around some more once there. Then sitting around on the long drive back. I get all stiff. I need to MOVE. So yeah. Hotel was a good idea this year. If we do that again I need to take better advantage of going down to sit in a hotel hot tub.
Declined a large New Year's party in favor of low stress snacks and games with EarthMama. Just the 2 families and they hosted so I offered to do the big snacks and she did smaller stuff like chips and salsa. We all got so involved chatting and catching up that we never got to the games. It was a lot of fun and "right size" venue. Before pandemic we use to get together for family board game nights so we will try to bring that back slowly.
I also attended another New Year party for my women's group. That was a lot of fun. First time for youngest DD and she REALLY loved the vibe of "no boys here" and how women just all pitched in to do stuff so it was not all on one person. She told me it was her favorite holiday activity.
There was a recent widow in the group and she really appreciated being in community as she was navigating her own set of "first holidays without." Another one is a caregiver and she's navigating "might be the last holidays together" which has its own burdens. While we were washing dishes she was telling me how last year she made a list of all the things her spouse could do in 2023. She told me the list is going to be very different for 2024. She's coping well -- accepting they are in a new phase of life and trying to be present in it and grateful for what is still here.
I had plans with a new friend that got canceled because she got sick but we'll try again when she's well.
I called up Rose and she's been struggling with winter depression but said she was up for getting together after new year so I have to follow up. Daisy is also up for getting out to brunch and figuring out what day works best this semester for our weekly hangout.
I have my new book group tonight -- enjoying the selections so far.
Work is going smoothly enough. My new volunteer group -- enjoying doing what I said I'd do and NOT taking on more. Skipping/reducing my volunteer group that I'm meh about. I still haven't been to some of the other new things I wanted to try but one thing at a time.
DH joined me for at home yoga last night. I needed it.
We made it through the first holidays without FIL. That feels like a weight off shoulders.
Attended one holiday service and that was a lot for DH. Still "too big" a space even though he knows most of the people there.
All of us made space for a massage. I wonder if it should have been two -- one before the holiday crush and one right after? I could have used it.
Christmas was mixed. Better at a different in-law's house and not the old family homestead like Thanksgiving. We also showed up last and left first. DH is sticking with his 3 hour limit and it's working for him.
Youngest DD told me that she saw people overloading her dad and him not being able to say "no." He's got to work more on that. He's not the free therapist for his grieving siblings. I think they are all struggling somewhat but that doesn't mean unload on DH. Or if they ARE going to do that, do it just them, maybe even like online group session with a grief counselor. I can suggest but I won't organize that. He and his siblings have to find their way. Either together or separate or both.
Even though he was initially resistant? Probably because of anxiety? DH agreed to hotel if the others wanted it. So I made it happen.
We left the party and 15 min later were checking in. He liked our suite and cheered up that he didn't have to drive long distance again so soon. We had plenty of party leftovers and brought a holiday tin of popcorn. There were hotel toys to play with if people wanted --- pool, gym, 24 hr mini shop, etc. Everyone holed up to watch holiday movies and just sleeeeeep. We all had our own beds. He told me got the best sleep he's had in all this grieving time. I think part of it was having a comfortable bed and part of it was being past holiday events with his family where he keeps getting cornered by siblings. There's deathiversary and then all the "firsts" are done.
Youngest DD told me she was cranky still but a lot LESS cranky. She loved having a hotel. She loved her dad being able to decompress.
For me it was a mixed bag. My body appreciated splitting the long drive so we didn't have to do it all in one day. And I'm glad it made it easier on the other two even if it made more work on me with the holiday cooking and hotel reservations and being emotionally present. Both thanked me for doing it, and that is appreciated but I'm pooping out on grief support.
We did my family on Boxing Day and that was a lot more chill. Dad is definitely slowing down and less verbal but seemed to have a good time. I think next year I want to do my side first and in-laws second. Start suggesting everyone do Christmas on their own and gather together for New Year's or something. Like mix it up already. A lot of the things we did/do as a family are actually leftovers from MIL and FIL who are now deceased. Sitting around for hours eating -- that was needed with elders with oxygen tank and canes and all that. There is only so much they could do and feel included. But can't we do something ELSE now? Go ice skating or meet up to do holiday lights and walk around? Mix it up? More active things?
That's what bothers me. Sitting around on the long drive. Then sitting around some more once there. Then sitting around on the long drive back. I get all stiff. I need to MOVE. So yeah. Hotel was a good idea this year. If we do that again I need to take better advantage of going down to sit in a hotel hot tub.
Declined a large New Year's party in favor of low stress snacks and games with EarthMama. Just the 2 families and they hosted so I offered to do the big snacks and she did smaller stuff like chips and salsa. We all got so involved chatting and catching up that we never got to the games. It was a lot of fun and "right size" venue. Before pandemic we use to get together for family board game nights so we will try to bring that back slowly.
I also attended another New Year party for my women's group. That was a lot of fun. First time for youngest DD and she REALLY loved the vibe of "no boys here" and how women just all pitched in to do stuff so it was not all on one person. She told me it was her favorite holiday activity.
There was a recent widow in the group and she really appreciated being in community as she was navigating her own set of "first holidays without." Another one is a caregiver and she's navigating "might be the last holidays together" which has its own burdens. While we were washing dishes she was telling me how last year she made a list of all the things her spouse could do in 2023. She told me the list is going to be very different for 2024. She's coping well -- accepting they are in a new phase of life and trying to be present in it and grateful for what is still here.
I had plans with a new friend that got canceled because she got sick but we'll try again when she's well.
I called up Rose and she's been struggling with winter depression but said she was up for getting together after new year so I have to follow up. Daisy is also up for getting out to brunch and figuring out what day works best this semester for our weekly hangout.
I have my new book group tonight -- enjoying the selections so far.
Work is going smoothly enough. My new volunteer group -- enjoying doing what I said I'd do and NOT taking on more. Skipping/reducing my volunteer group that I'm meh about. I still haven't been to some of the other new things I wanted to try but one thing at a time.
DH joined me for at home yoga last night. I needed it.
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