I so had high hopes for this Christmas. We had gotten the ball rolling with Thanksgiving-small, quiet, manageable but with all the traditions.

Bruce was on board all the way! I think with the cognitive improvement and by me keeping him involved in all the prep, talking about it and planning together made all the difference.

We did the tree and indoor decorations one weekend. Then asked Carl to dinner and added in the shopping. So Friday, when I got out of work, it was home-holiday time! And we took our time.

Bruce wanted to do Christmas Cards (mine were never done), so faithfully did 5 a day and the few gifts we did buy were wrapped, so there was stuff to put under the tree right away. I lit the tree for him every morning-which he loves, and every night we did a nice dinner, lit our candles and "stinkers" and opened our cards together.

Dinner with Carl was terrific. We got up late on Saturday, had a nice breakfast. In the afternoon we watched football and had a snack tray: a tradition I keep alive in memory of my Dad. Later was touring the neighborhood to see the lights. Bruce used to pick me up from work every Christmas Eve and do just that for me. Sunday it was quiet time with coffee and the newspaper. Nice lunch, naps and a terrific Christmas dinner.

Most of the shifts at my work had floor parties. Somehow a lot of that food got sent to my house. Sunday morning, I took inventory. Most of the neighbors got a share. And bless them, most brought stuff to us. The people Bruce was expecting never showed. That is OK. But he got calls from all his Buds: California, New Mexico, New York.

I was glad today was a down day. We did have to get out for a few errands and back on the treadmill for both of us tomorrow. Bruce is willing to walk a bit with me now-that was my Christmas gift. And I have stepped up his responsibilities in the kitchen.

I do so look forward to hearing of all of your holidays. This is so much a time for joy, reflection and family time. Debbie