Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas tree is up. Black Friday has come and gone, too. This time of year is so hectic, with one holiday and event after another. It becomes a physical and emotional roller coaster for many of us with chronic illness.
We celebrated Thanksgiving in a very low-key fashion. It was just the three of us this year, and I was not up to cooking all the big meal. We all agreed to do an easier version of the menu and it was wonderful. We cooked only the dishes that I knew we would finish and purchased crescent rolls and a bakery pie.
I’ve never served such a meal on the holidays, but it was just fine. No one complained and the meal was delicious. I didn’t have to ice my back over an over from pain. Standing to cook is very painful for my back, so I was relieved to not deal with that. In fact, I didn’t even need to take Advil.
Black Friday was spent in my pj’s, shopping for most of the family. Almost everyone sent me a wish list to choose from. There were amazing deals online and I loved shopping the doorbusters! I hope you found some great buys, too.
Today is my husband’s birthday and we’ll have a low-key celebration here. We got a small bakery cake and I found some sugar-free cupcakes for me. We’ll enjoy just being together. Sometimes hubby doesn’t like to celebrate birthdays, but we’re just thankful to live another year.
My really good news is that I’ve lost 14 pounds. This sugar-free eating is really paying off. I don’t miss the sugar one bit! The black circles under my eyes are much lighter and I have a little more energy. Hopefully, that’s because of all the B12 I’m gaining from my Nutritional Yeast supplementation.
As we transition from fall to winter and Christmas, the roller coaster can be a physical problem. I know that some days I feel like I can do something, and then the next day or two I’m exhausted and in more pain. These up and down days can be hard to deal with. We have to get out the ice packs or heating pads. More rest is needed, too.
I pace as much as possible, but sometimes it’s not enough. It’s important to forgive yourself and put it behind you. Otherwise, it’s easy to get down on yourself and end up in a mental funk. I know it will happen some days, no matter how hard I try to avoid it.
Reading verses helps me to find encouragement. God’s word brings refreshment to my soul. Here’s one of my favorite verses:
Psalm 145:18—The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Whether you’re having a good day or a bad day, I hope and pray that you’ll have the peace of God to comfort you.
@2019, copyright Lisa Ehrman
It sounds like you had a wonderful time and did not have to over exert yourself. Having pain is not fun. I am the same way. God is always good though and gets me through. I like shopping on line better than going to the over crowded stores. Thank you so much and enjoy your holiday. God Bless
Sounds like you’ve learned how to pace yourself during the stressful times. Cyber Monday will hopefully be another good day to shop from home. God bless you this Christmas season!
We also had a low key Thanksgiving. I am hoping to slow the holidays down this year and spend more time just relaxing with my kids.
That sounds wonderful! Just spending time with family is what really matters 🙂
Good update. I had a quiet thanksgiving, been quite busy though since black friday.
Thanks! Quiet Thanksgivings are great 🙂 This is the most hectic time of year. I hope you enjoy the holidays 🙂
I know what you are talking about, it is hard on anyone especially with chronic illness. Take care.
I hope that your season is low-pain and low-stress. God bless 🙂