Home for Christmas

I smile as I watch the Woolworths commercial. A family travel by car, motor bike, plane towards a family member's house to celebrate Christmas.  It's a vibrant commercial with family members rushing to meet up for celebration lunch while the host and hostess are basting the turkey and getting the vegetables ready.
Any other year it would just make me smile; it's a great commercial of people getting together.
That's where the curve ball comes in.  Merv won't be coming home for Christmas.  For the first time in forty-two years Merv and I will wake up in different residences and experience a Christmas unlike any other.  There will be no celebrations at home, I'm not able to transfer Merv alone.  Dustin and Grace aren't arriving until 3pm on the day due to Grace's working hours.  It is what it is.
Merv continues to have anxiety related movement and mostly refuses to leave his room.  I have ideas that he will be happy to be hoisted into his wheelchair and have lunch with Mel and I in the dining room.  I later picture him sharing afternoon tea with Dustin and Grace on Christmas Day when they visit at 3pm in the cafe area.  It is my dream, my expectation, my hope.
Then I decide to clean down the fold up picnic table and throw it in the boot on the day. I cringe at the thought of lunch and afternoon tea huddled in Merv's small room.
Christmas isn't always what it's cracked up to be, but we have so much more than many others have.  We will enjoy it as it is, Merv is still here to enjoy the day just the way he is comfortable with.

Woolworths family Christmas get together 

Home for Christmas is the Woolworths message