A Christmas to Remember…

Perhaps I’m not terribly original in my choice, but my favourite movie for as long as I can remember has been “It’s a Wonderful Life.” “Life is Beautiful” runs a close second; such is the life of the almost full-time optimist. A title sincerely tested over the last few years, but I remain an optimist all the same.

Every time I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”, my faith in humankind was lifted just a little bit higher – for at least a little while. It would depend on my circumstances at the time as to how long that feeling would last. There were also a few years in there where the premise of the movie was almost lost on me, including last year. Last December I still had cable and a PVR, and set it to record the movie a few days before Christmas.

For weeks the recorded program sat on the PVR, and eventually I just deleted it – I just couldn’t imagine that the movie would do anything other than make me feel even sadder than I was at the time about the situation happening to me and my daughter.

This year has been beset with challenges that I couldn’t have even imagined. The circumstances cause everyone to shake their heads in wonder, or more accurately in shock. It seemed impossible to believe that things could get worse, yet over the coming months they did.

Fast forward to a year later.

What’s transpired over the last week has been simply magical and breathtaking. The year in whole has been a study in extremes, but right now the good stuff overwhelms.

This year, without cable TV, I haven’t been able to catch “It’s a Wonderful Life”. And I don’t have to. The movie has come right to my front door. And into my mailbox. And over the phone.

Some of it came as financial aid as it did in George Bailey’s case. Friends and strangers put together their own version of a Christmas miracle to help fill our cupboards and fridge again, also ensuring that I am able to get months of the housekeeping assistance I desperately needed in my declining state of health – plus enough to allow me to treat my daughter to a touch more than the pair of slippers which was the only gift she’d asked for. A tremendously generous gift from a large group of people I’ve never even met, generous in both in dollars and the desire to be of help. The effort led by a friend who is one of the most genuinely caring people I’ve ever had the privilege to know.

I’m able to get a few new clothes, my friends have been very kind in not mentioning the fact that they’d see me in the same wardrobe items over and over again. I’d convinced myself that I was not too old to get away with the look of frayed jeans. I am.

Another lovely surprise this week, a stupendous virtual tour of New York City was hand delivered. Authentic right down to the samples of the Philosophy shampoo and conditioner that the hotel  that I virtually stayed at stocks in their guestrooms! This gift was put together by a friend of my daughter whom I’d met just once briefly; the assembly of this wonderful gift was months in the making. I just can’t put it down, every time I look at it I see something I hadn’t noticed before.

Other amazing treats have poured forth. Lots of delicious food (including more than my fair share of chocolate!), a wonderfully relaxing massage, an angel (a reminder of all the here-on-earth Clarences who are watching over me!) and most appreciated - gifts of precious time spent with me in person or on the phone, and through so many lovely emails.

A home visit from my estate lawyer on the afternoon of Christmas Eve (his wife even putting their holiday preparations aside to act as witness) so that I could go into the holidays secure in knowing that my wishes for looking out for my daughter’s future would be carried out.

Other professionals and volunteers who’ve moved heaven and earth over the last weeks to ensure that these weeks that I’m blessed to spend with my daughter over the holidays are as carefree as they possibly could be. And having the sensitivity to step back to leave us to some time alone too. Last night my daughter and I threw tradition out the window and had ourselves a Christmas Eve that we mutually declared to be our best ever, despite that fact that we hardly budged from the comfort of the bed.

Over the years I’d wondered if anyone could truly feel as special and appreciated as George Bailey did at the end of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. The answer for me is most decidedly yes.

Thank you my dear friends, we’re so very lucky to have you. It’s been a Christmas that couldn’t possibly be outdone if we’re to measure it by the warmth you’ve put in our hearts. You’ve given me the most beautiful gift imaginable by letting me know that you’re sticking by my side on this journey.