Letter Nine: Glad That It's Over

I used to be someone who LOVED the holidays. I got excited, looked forward to all the traditions, and enjoyed the warm fuzziness that generally accompanies Thanksgiving and Christmas (I've never been much of a New Years person; I'm perfectly happy to stay in with my family watching a movie/television and chowing down on noms). The last few years have put a drag on the holidays for me, however, and I absolutely dreaded them this year. I just wanted to get them over and done with. 

2009 was the first year we had to go through the holidays after my grandmother's death, and it was completely depressing, as absolutely NOTHING was the same. It was also just weeks after I lost my job. Last year my mom nearly died in November, and didn't know who I was half of the time. Then, she pulled a little stunt that put her back in the hospital for Christmas and she barely knew who anyone was that time, either. Did I mention my dad was in the hospital as well? I swear, I aged about 25 years between January and December of 2010.

This year, I spent my Thanksgiving and Christmas with a sense of foreboding, waiting for the other shoe to drop and something to go majorly (not a word, I know) wrong. Nothing went too wrong, other than we had no money whatsoever, so I am able to breathe a sigh of relief and be thankful that it's over and done with. I'm completely exhausted, and looking forward to going back to my job next week. 

Oh yes, my job: It is full of "teh awesome." I love that I get to work with kids again. I don't love that I have to be up at 4:30 a.m., and I'm not officially done until after 6:00 p.m., so most nights I crash as soon as I get home. But the sense of accomplishment every day, the sense that I'm contributing to society once again, and the fact I'm not sitting at home all day makes life so much better. More to come on that front.