Update on my Sister's Visit and Some Thoughts

   

   My sister is now home after a very busy but fun visit.  It is funny how after almost 37 years apart, we just seemed to pick right back up again and it was so easy just to be with each other.  All those inside jokes and memories came flooding back.  What I did find amazing though was how differently we saw and experienced things for the 3 years that we actually lived together.  My sister came to live with us during our Sophomore year of high school.  It's a long and complicated story and one that I finally was able to hear in full and fill in some blanks.  It was kind of like an international foster situation and was very stressful at times trying to blend her culture and ours.  I think we all grew from it though and the bonds between my sister, my brothers and I remain tight to this day.  I love her with all my heart and she will always be my sister no matter what.  I am so very thankful that she came up for a visit and got to experience snow, Christmas lights over the lake in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, a big family Thanksgiving, meeting most of my kids and grandkids, along with our cousin Jeremy and she got to see a mother moose and 2 baby moose walking around our town. 😁

   She and I also spent time decorating our home for Christmas whiole listening to Christmas music.  It was something that we really enjoyed doing together in our teens and it was so nice to do it with her once more.  We went shopping and got her a few more warm items that she could wear here and on her upcoming trip buying trip to China (she is now in real estate development in Tahiti and doing very well at it) and some gifts for friends back home.  We ate way too much good and rich food (which I am paying for now) but most of all, we talked helped each other work through some things in our lives from our pasts and current situations.  There was laughter, tears, lots of hugs and reassurances and it was wonderful to know that no matter how many years had passed, she and I were, still are and will always be there for one another no matter what.  Taking her to the airport and saying goodbye was so hard to do and I tried to remain strong for both of us when she broke down in tears.  We shared one last long and tight hug and kissed each other goodbye knowing that we would make sure to spend more time together now that we really have reconnected and realized just how much we really do need each other in our lives.  We are not getting any younger and have both had some pretty serious health issues so time is of the essence.

   While she was here, I pushed myself way too much even though she kept telling me to rest.  She has always been extremely protective of me. 😊  I was going on sheer addrenalin most of the time and I am glad I was able to keep going for as long as I did.  I did not want to miss out on a single moment with her.

   Now that she is gone, I am in crash and hopefully recovery mode.  My stomach issues are really bad with my IBS acting way up after all that rich food and running around so much.  My body is sore and I did have to use my cane while she was here one of the days when were were out and about.  Most of all, I am simply exhausted.  I have decided to just be good to myself and allow myself to nap when needed and not try to stay on a strict schedule right now.  Let's be real, I could not stay awake even if I wanted to at times.  I have needed lots of alone time too and have found myself retreating to our bedroom on a daily basis to escape the noise, light and yes, even my sweet hubby.  I required total peace, quiet and dark so I could rest and not be overwhelmed.

   The plan for the remainder of the week is to rest as much as possible, doing things that need to be done slowly and take lots of breaks between tasks.  So far this is working out well with me being able to keep up on the laundry, make some good meals, watch some movies and take lots of naps.  This is what my body and my soul needs at the moment, so that is what I am doing so that I will be ready for the next round of holiday festivities.

   Be blessed my friends!