My Most Memorable Christmas

As we all think back on Christmases past, I would venture to guess that your most memorable Christmases have nothing to do with presents received, glittery lights, Santa Claus, etc.. Your most memorable Christmas is probably one which focuses on the real meaning of Christmas.

For me, my most memorable Christmas is the Christmas of 2002. This was a year when I didn't buy one gift for anyone. I'm sure I received a few gifts but I don't remember any of them. What I do remember about that Christmas is being able to go home and be with my family.

You see, this was the year I was in my accident. And I had been hospitalized for three months. Anyone who has spent any time in the hospital as a patient will understand how much it meant to me to be able to go home and spend Christmas with my family.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go home for Christmas. I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital. Although it was lovely, my family making and bringing Thanksgiving dinner to me at the hospital, everybody eating their turkey dinner in yellow gowns. It wasn't the same as being home. I think my doctor understood how much I wanted to go home for Christmas. So she gave me a day pass. I was still pretty sick and required hospitalization but I was able to spend a few hours at home.

It was no small endeavor to get to me home for Christmas. My parents had recently moved to the area and were renting a home. This home did not have a wheelchair ramp. So, my dad and brother and brother-in-law worked diligently for several nights to build one. I believe they completed it late at night on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas morning I eagerly anticipated the arrival of the cabulance. I woke up early so I would be ready to be picked up in the morning. I can't remember for sure but I think mom or Lisa came to help get me ready that morning. As I recall, the cabulance was late. The time spent waiting for the cabulance to arrive seemed like an eternity.

The paramedics arrived and transferred me on to the stretcher. (Their transfer methods were rather scary, using a sheet) I remember as we drove down Tacoma Road I could see out the windows in the back of the ambulance. And what did I see? Juliet and Michael chasing after the ambulance smiling and waving at me. To this day that still brings a smile to my face. I was then transferred to a wheelchair from the stretcher and wheeled up the newly minted ramp into the house.

I was so happy to be out of the hospital, if only for a few hours, and celebrate Christmas with my family. We had a nice Christmas dinner, played games, and just enjoyed everybody's company. This was a home that I had never been to before, but that didn't matter, it still felt like home. The Christmas tree was beautiful. But most of all, I was happy to be surrounded by a loving family.

Five o'clock came way too soon and the cabulance was back to pick me up and take me back to the hospital. I really didn't want to go back. I was having such an enjoyable time. But I had to go back. As I recall, we moved the party to the hospital and everybody came and visited me for the remainder of the evening.

This was my most memorable and cherished Christmas. It had nothing to do with commercialism. It was about being with family and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.