I know, many of you  consider yourself Christian, but there are many more religions out there that celebrate sacred and holy days at this same time of the year, and I don’t want to slight anyone who may be reading this. I hope you’ll click the link above and check it out. 

This has been both a very full year for me, and a very empty year. I spent a lot of time in Kirkland WA the first couple of months, and then moved in with my newest Sister of Choice and my Elder Brother of Choice the last 3 months of my EBOCs life. The last few months of his life, I could almost see the decline from one day to the next. ALS is not a disease to live with, and especially to die from. Fortunately, Washington State has medical assistance in dying (MAiD) if desired. My EBOC used MAiD and died on May 30^th. He fell asleep 4.5 minutes after drinking the cocktail. I am honored to have been one of his caregivers, and that I was able to hold his hand for the three hours it took for him to die. I hope it brought him some comfort.

When I came home I was met by a small dog who came as close to crying as I’ve ever heard a dog come. He was sooooo happy. He was my shadow for a couple days, and he did not like it if I left. He still doesn’t like me to go away, but he’s not quite as clingy. But he is so happy when I come home.

I lost two more friends within 3 weeks of my EBOC’s death, then three more friends in the last 7 months. I don’t have that many friends that I care to lose more especially by dying, so NO MORE!! Are you listening?  You’d better be!!

Hope holds that the chapbook of poems I wrote about EBOC’s death (and no, they are not all tear-jerking!) will find a home with one of the publishers who now have the manuscript. I’ll be sure to let you know when it comes out. 

Of course, I wrote poems about my EBOC’s passing. I shared a couple with some of his other caregivers, and two of them suggested I might consider becoming a Death Doula. A what? I asked. A death midwife, the explained. You know, like the gal who mixed and gave him the drink? The gal who came out and answered all our questions about death, especially EBOCs. I came home did some research, talked to a few people, with the upshot that I am now a Death Doula, having completed the course through A Sacred Passing. I will take the class through End of Life Washington to be able to administer the cocktail myself. That will prove a bit of a logistic problem as I’m required to shadow someone for a few times as they mix and administer. There is no one in the area where I live to shadow. I’ll probably have to commute to the Seattle area.

Grief Brain has struck again. I’m able to get a few things made for gifts, but can’t, yet, handle cards.  Which is weird as they are so much easier to do. Maybe it’s self-preservation so I don’t have to see in my mind’s eye, all the people I’ve lost this year. So, this is my card too all of you, my Favorite Readers and Goodest Friends. I should be able to function by next Winter Solstice. No promises, though.

Leaving you with a bit of happiness, I will spend Christmas with Favorite Daughter, Favorite Son, AND Favorite Grandson. Housemate Dan is going to visit his Favorite Daughter and family, so he’ll be with some Favorite Grands, too. I just don’t yet know what day we’ll be celebrating. It depends on Favorite Grandson’s work schedule. But, my family is used to not always being able to being together for the 25^th of December. We’ve actually celebrated on Eastern Weekend. But, we’ll be together, whenever it is.

Photo of the Week:
Pulled the ice tray out for a couple of ice cubes and two of them were constructing a rocket launcher (?) or whatever. They were over an inch in length. (Did they know I bought Margarita mix? Were they going to launch themselves into my glass?)

The Big Chihuahua and Auntie Lenora wish all of you, my Favorite Readers, the Bestest Ever Happy Holiday you’ve ever had. Eat dessert first (who wants green beans baked in mushroom soup, anyhow?), drink your Favorite Libation–responsibly, keep the Pink Bottle close, give out hugs every chance you get, kisses too (if appropriate), and laugh, and laugh, and laugh!

Auntie Lenora is taking some time off to hopefully get a few more things made for the Winter Solstice; she and the Brave Dog will be back January 8, 2024. Wow, already yet and it’s gonna be 2024. How time flies when you get old. It ain’t fair. It should go along at the slow, plodding pace it did when we were young.

May your new year be the bestest 2024 you’ve ever had!!! Auntie Lenora sends hugs and love, and Sammy sends pupkisses to you all! 

A World Religion Holiday Season Calendar should be looked at. Be sure to scroll down the page a bit.