Xmas 2019 with the Sloats

Before noon it was all over.

Evie and I really like our apartment in Independent Living at Fairmount Homes but we've been saying that, as nice as it is, it still doesn't feel like home.

I said that we don't have memories set here.

We do now.

The plan, from before the move, was that my brother and sister-in-law would pick up mom from the Mennonite Home and bring her here...there's an elevator, no steps.

About a week ago, the Mennonite Home called to say that mom has a bad cold and their goal was for her to be well enough to be visited on Christmas. She isn't.

Mom has a URI and, somehow has COPD, though she never smoked or did anything associated with developing COPD...and, at her age, an upper respiratory infection is a serious issue along with the chronic lung problems. The Physician's Assistant who's treating her is starting her on Prednisone and is confident she'll recover soon. However, normally when she comes out of one of these illnesses, her dementia has advanced. We'll see.

So, it was my brother's family and Evie and me...at total of 7.

Our apartment was adequate in size for this small gathering.

We are, essentially, silly, uninhibited people, capable of doing sober what many people would need several shots to achieve...and no hangover...and cheaper!

We were together for about two and a half hours and had a nice time.

We started a tradition several years ago...whenever we get together...of playing a card game that ends with everyone getting a gag gift. Each person contributes one gift...maximum $5. We're getting good at picking the gifts. At the conclusion of the game we all unwrap our prize in the order in which we finished the game.

Lots of smiles and laughter. We took pictures of everyone wearing the deer antlers which were my gift. Everyone who is really uninhibited agreed to have their photo posted on Facebook. You can see us there.

We contribute to a brunch meal. All the food was good.

Dad died just before Christmas two years ago. That sadness was probably lessened by the fact that mom wasn't with us. She misses him more than ever, if that's possible.

It seemed to me that I enjoyed this more than I usually do. I'm not sure what that's all about.