Post-Christmas haze

Oh Mylanta! Where have I been?? I hope everyone has had a calm and relaxing Christmas and on their way to a rockin’ new year! I’m headed off to the lake in T-minus 12 hours!

So…the end of the semester went out with a bang…a good bang, that is! All three of my exams—1,2,3—beginning at 8 am on Monday 19 December went great. Definitely much better than I had originally thought. What a pleasant early Christmas gift!

I was homeward bound very soon after…which is always an awesome feeling. Side note: I love driving. Not really sure why, but I do. The drive to and from Point is always very…relaxing. I love passing by Amish farms, sometimes seeing carriages on the road or on certain days, all the laundry hanging outside, no matter the weather conditions. And there is something to be said about turning the radio up and singing at the top of my lungs (and wildly off-key, I might add!). There is always something medicinal about it. I always feel refreshed after a good jam session in the car. I love it!

On the way home I made the routine stop in Rudolph for cheese. It would almost be sacrilege not to. Horror of all horrors, there was no cheese spaghetti, as I call it. (It’s really string cheese). Such a sad day indeed. I was able to come away with fresh, squeaky cheese curds though, so not all was lost J

Since I stepped out of the car, I’ve been on the go ever since. The longest I’ve been able to just…sit, is now as I’m typing. Every day has been filled with something—visiting friends, decorating our bare Christmas tree, playing the role of Susie Homemaker, sleepovers, intense games of cribbage and International. It’s been never-ending. Many of you know and would probably agree that usually I’m quite the hermit with zip of a social life. I’m enjoying this break from the norm, flitting this way and that, masquerading as a social butterfly.

Christmas at the Fitzel-O’Brien homestead was much like most get-togethers at our house—filled with good food, good wine, and lots of laughs. The wine may have had a role in this, but even without it, we are all such goofs, it’s not really needed for us to have good time. There are, on average, 3-4 conversations going at the same time across the room, through the kitchen and all through the house. It’s a wonder my head is still attached!

However, the highlight of this Christmas break, I think, was being able to go back to Little Sisters of the Poor, the nursing home I’ve spent so much time at, first as a visitor of my Anna Banana, then as a volunteer, and finally as an aide while in high school. It felt kind of like a time-warp walking back in the Home. I recognized and remembered so many faces and was surprised by how many still recognized me. There were many double takes before the recognition set in and when it did, I worried I might cause a heart attack or two. Luckily there weren’t any. It almost felt as though I’d never even left. There definitely have been some changes, but the routine was still very much the same, at least at supper time J

Oh…there was another highlight! One of the best surprises came in the form of a Christmas card from one of my grade school teachers. I hadn’t seen her in almost five years, when she came to my high school graduation! I couldn’t believe it had been that long. We were able to make a breakfast date and spent four and half hours catching up. It was great!

Receiving her card was such humbling moment. It made me feel a little guilty for how badly I’ve kept in touch with many of you over the years. But it was also a stark reminder that even in the absence of regular contact or when we may find ourselves feeling very much alone, there are still many thoughts and well wishes sent in every direction. There are always ‘what if’s’ or ‘I wonder’s.’ Now, whenever I wonder about someone I haven’t seen or talked to in a while, I’m certain that they are probably sharing the same thoughts.

Thank you, Mrs. Maruska, for making me see the other side of my ‘I wonder.’ :)