Snap back to reality

On Monday, I wrote about how I wasn't feeling the Christmas spirit. A lot of my readers commented about how they are the same: overwhelmed, stressed, tired. I was really down in the dumps, and kind of feeling sorry for myself.

Later that morning, my husband called me from work with good news. Really, REALLY, good news. The kind of news that lifted a huge weight off my chest that I hadn't realized was there until it was gone. I felt light, and free, and for the first time in awhile, truly happy.

Monday afternoon, Tuesday, and Wednesday passed with me singing Christmas carols to myself or with the Rosebuds, doing online Christmas shopping, and getting the Christmas cards mailed out. I was feeling great.

Then I got the call. It was my sister calling to tell me that my parents were rushing my younger brother to the Emergency Room. He had been sick all day and towards the evening began vomiting blood.

At the hospital there was more blood, an endoscopy, and the diagnosis that he had torn his esophogus and was bleeding into his stomach. Heavily. The tear was repaired, the bleeding stopped, and he has been carefully watched in the Intensive Care Unit since then.

Living nine hours away, I have never felt more helpless. I prayed for my brother and for my parents who I know must have been terrified. Thankfully, my brother is doing much better today, but this whole experience has made me realize (again) what is really important in life - family.

As I move foward, I am still feeling happy about Christmas, but have been sobered by my brother's illness. There is concern for him in my head, but I have a peace in my heart that tells me he will be okay. We will all be okay.

Erin