While most people are enjoying time off with their families during the holidays, there are some that are working to keep you safe, healthy, and supporting our travels. Whether they are retailers, service station attendants, restaurant workers, police, dispatch, military, or healthcare employees, many people are away from their loved ones during the holidays. As a paramedic there are many holidays that I have missed.
So what do we do? We spend the holiday with our work family and celebrate with our traditional family on another day. This year my family had Thanksgiving dinner on a Saturday and will be celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve.
This is the first year my daughter and I have not gone to a holiday show with my mother. We’ve seen Rudolph, the Rockettes, HoliDaze, and so many more. We’ve been to the Nutcracker so many times I lost count.
This year my husband and I went to see Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz Lincoln Center Orchestra instead. What an amazing show! Traditional Christmas music offered in a unique style.
My father is the biggest kid of all. I love watching him play with my children. Even though one of my sons is 16 and the other is 13, they don’t hesitate to wrap themselves around Grandpa’s legs to have him walk them around the house.
Although Kenzie and Mom were unable to join me this year, we still find time to spend together. Trying new foods and being silly. These are the moments I live for. I am grateful that my family is flexible enough to adjust their days to meet my schedule. Not everyone is that fortunate.
Last year my mother in law gave our entire family matching Christmas pyjamas. It took nearly a year but I finally got my husband to put them on. This year we will all be toy soldiers as we open gifts and enjoy each other’s company a day early.
So here’s to having fun with your family whenever you can. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. Cheers!
Oily Minded Medic 