A Christmas Care-ill

So much for good intentions.  I was going to provide you with tips galore on how to make the most of a simpler Christmas.  But in the end, only one or two ever made it onto the blog.  Why? 

Because my dear friend and neighbor got sick.  Very sick.  She was already in remission from a non-curable form of cancer, but developed an autoimmune disease on top of all that.  She went into the hospital right before Thanksgiving, and after two weeks was discharged to navigate her way to health on her own at home.  It has been a difficult uphill climb, requiring the help of many hands, mine included. 

This friend, I’ll call her the Divine Miss M, is more like a sister than just a friend.  We’ve raised our children together in our wonderful neighborhood, brought each other food when necessary, driven each other to doctor’s appointments, and giggled our way to hysterics on more than one occasion.  There isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for me, and vice versa.  She is a vital part of my life on a daily basis. 

So her illness came before shopping.  It came before decorating.  And it took priority over cards, caroling, parties, and cooking.  And it definitely ranked as a more important task than blogging.  Sorry, but it did.  And you know what?  I’ve enjoyed this Christmas more than any I can remember in recent history. 

As I look back at my blogs and my life for the last month, I feel as though my care for Miss M was “my gift to bring.  Pah rumpumpum pum.  That’s fit to give our King. Pah rumpumpum pum.”  For like the Little Drummer Boy, it is with a simple heart that I care for my sick friend, and hope she sees the light and the love of The Christ Child in my actions. 

If she does,  Christmas is already here.