Miracle on Cornwall Ave.

Originally posted December 26/2006 on "Allison Wonderland"


Thanks to Hayley for that title!)

Well, we had a good Christmas in spite of everything. Christmas eve day we went to C & J's house for brunch. Of course, we didn't have any way to get there on our own, but J was a generous taxi service for us. It was raining that day; we didn't get our white Christmas after all, because the rain melted all that snow we got. Oh, well! We had a great time at brunch. Some other friends were there, including Simon's little friend Raya. She's 2 weeks older than he is, and they used to have trouble playing together because she was crawling and walking long before he was, so he couldn't get away. Now that they're on more equal footing (so to speak), things are way better. They chased each other around, laughing their little heads off. It was hilarious, and I realized while I was watching them that I was really, genuinely happy. That might not sound strange to you, but it was a bit of a shock for me to realize that it's been a long time since I felt that, mostly (I think) because of my meds. I just don't usually feel a whole lot either way, even when I'm "happy." In any case, my heart felt like it was going to explode, and I was laughing along with the kids. It was great!

J dropped me off at work that afternoon, and it was a pretty good shift. My wrist was bothering me, but we got out at a decent time and I got a ride home with my supervisor. I made hot wings and mashed potatoes (with tzatziki- yum!) for supper, and we had a quiet evening after we each opened a present. AJ got new pajamas, and I opened a charm for my link bracelet- Superman! Simon got a stuffed Mandrill to go with the animal theme in his bedroom, and he hugged it. So cute!!!

AJ always has a hard time sleeping on Christmas eve; he's like a giant kid at Christmas. I had a sleepless night, too, but not because I was listening for sleigh-bells. Simon is teething, with at least 4 teeth coming in right now, and he was up 5 times that night. I was ready to sleep in Christmas morning, but we started opening our stockings at about 8:30. We had the video camera set up- it's the same one they used when AJ was younger. The sound didn't come out very well, but Simon looks- you guessed it!- adorable. He found the whole present thing a bit overwhelming. He was just checking out one new toy when another one would come, and he looked like he was going, "Hang on- I just got this one!" We saved some of his presents for the evening.

AJ loved all of the gifts we got for him, which made me very happy. I got lots of great stuff, too! My BIG present is an iPod, which AJ and his parents went in together to get for me. It's a refurbished one that should arrive in a few days, and I'm SO excited! I also got a "Get Fuzzy" page-a-day calendar, my annual planner book, the hair stuff I asked for, new slippers, gloves and socks, a HUGE Lindt milk chocolate bar, Lindor chocolates, another bracelet link (a monkey, like Simon!) and a subscription to Chatelaine. SO spoiled! Our present from my parents came a few weeks ago- our new BED (whoopee!!!). And we still have another "Christmas" coming when the in-laws come up from Florida in a few weeks!

After all that, I was ready for a nap. When I woke up it was almost time for our Christmas dinner. Now, I don't cook the turkey- that could very well be a waste of an expensive bird! Neither set of parents lives nearby, so we would be on our own for Christmas dinner if J's mom didn't take us poor orphans in every year. She and a friend put together an amazing feast, and we joined the family for a few hours. Actually, I think Simon's the one who really gets the invite- we just tag along. :) I have a thank-you card to send...

But you're probably still wondering about that "miracle" thing... unless I've already told you. Last night we remembered that we hadn't opened the card that my grandparents sent with Simon's present. We opened it, and the card said, "Use this for whatever you want or need," and there was a cheque inside for enough money to get the car fixed! Hooray! Every time we think we won't scrape by this time, someone comes through- an anonymous friend sends us grocery store gift certificates just when we can't quite afford groceries, a mysterious card gets dropped in the mailbox with a gift card for Shopper's when we need to get diapers, or a Christmas present comes that will get us back on the road. Some days it's hard to trust that God won't let us starve, but He hasn't failed us yet, and neither have our friends and family.

Merry Christmas!