Let me tell you about my wonderful family and the magic of Christmas.

[amerikat]

I came home tonight and found a Christmas tree had magically appeared in my apartment. It came complete with lights and candy canes and presents for my cats.

My mother passed away last Sunday morning after a long illness. She was buried Friday.

We have been living on all the food that people had sent over. Lunch meat platters, cookies, hams ,cookies and fruit baskets. I thought we needed a change of pace so I made a nice hot dinner tonight.We talked after dinner and then everyone went to go do things they needed to do. I went to the bar with my brother and his wife. When I got home and found this wonderful Christmas tree.

I am one of five siblings,I have three sisters and one brother. We have been gathering at my mothers house daily since she died. We are all local except for one sister that lives in NY State(she's a DU'er). We are all together here in support of each other. My sisters and brother have all helped with the care of my mom and managed to keep her in her home during her long illness. She never spent a day in a nursing home and was able to live a relatively normal life. She died in Hospice care after only 36 hours.

And through the pain and grief they found the strength to make sure I had a Christmas. The cats are playing with the toys. All is right with the world tonight. Merry Christmas DU and God bless everyone.

[kittycat1164]

1. *very* sweet!

warmed my heart before goin to bed. NICE!

[Book Lover]

2. Merry Christmas

Please accept my condolences on the passing of your mother. And I hope you and your kitties and the rest of your family have a holiday filled with the same spirit throughout.

[amerikat]

3. Thanks Book lover. My Dad owned a bookstore we are

all book lovers too.

[Book Lover]

4. A bookstore,

like a restaurant, is a calling. I imagine it must have been fun growing up helping out in one :-)

[amerikat]

5. it was a joy......the customers were the best, so many interesting people

a bookstore is a magnet for great minds and gentle people.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. Thank you

for sharing that beautiful story! I'm sorry for your family's loss; and I wish you all many beautiful Christmases together. :hug:

[amerikat]

7. Thank GoG. I always like your posts and the anteater too.

it is an anteater right?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Yes, an anteater...

but they like termites too. :)

[amerikat]

23. with snout like that how pickey can you be

;-)

[aquart]

8. Your mother raised wonderful people.

She must have been so proud of all of you.

[amerikat]

12. I hope she is......I know she is.....thanks for your post

:hi:

[Nite Owl]

9. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story

Sorry about your loss but your mom must be smiling down on all of you.

[amerikat]

13. she was proud of all of us Thanks

i'm moving up your way in the spring......Skuylerville or greenwich

[Nite Owl]

28. That's great.

Anything you need done? Just let me know. Our numbers up here are growing! Still conservative but I have met some real nice liberals up here.

[amerikat]

40. My sister is very involved with Washington County Dems.

we'll be in touch. Maybe we can have a multi-county meet up.

[Nite Owl]

50. Sounds good!

The Great Upstate NY DU'ers Barbeque of summer '05!

[yellowdogintexas]

10. my condolences on the loss of your mom; I lost my mom in

October, also after a long illness.

You and your family accomplished something rare: keeping Mom at home. My husband and his 3 brothers/1 sister and assorted inlaws were able to keep both their parents at home as well.

My mom, unfortunately had Alzheimer's and had to be in a care center from Feb until Oct; my sister was going to have a complete collapse otherwise.

Blessings upon you all

[amerikat]

15. You do the best that you can do

sorry for your loss also......

[amerikat]

17. it was not easy, but it was worth it

the caregivers are stressed beyond belief......sorry for your loss.....and truely touched by my chrismas tree

[Turn CO Blue]

11. My thoughts are with you.

[amerikat]

19. thank you blue co(colorado) it was close..a little more work and it's

a blue state nextime

[auntAgonist]

16. Thank you for sharing ..

My sympathies to you in the loss of your Mother. Christmas is never the same again, I know. With such a loving family you will forever have wonderful memories and a heart overflowing with joy and peace.

auntAgonist.
aka kesha

[amerikat]

20. We feel it will never be the same

last chrismas in the home I grew up in....lived in many places but mom's was always home base

[Viking12]

18. Peace be with you. You deserve it...

as you appear to be so willing to share it with others.

[amerikat]

21. I am a quiet person but this I had to share

my sisters are elves at heart.

[indigobusiness]

22. Sounds like quite a family.

You are very fortunate. Despite your loss. I'm sorry and happy for you, at once.

[amerikat]

24. the sorrow will pass, the love will live on

Thanks Indigo

[amerikat]

25. I am going to bed.......i'll answer any other posts that come in tomorrow

thanks for your all your posts they mean a lot.......more than you will ever know.

[fleabert]

26. that is so nice. I am very sorry for your loss.

We lost my grandmother last year on Dec. 20th. It was sudden and unexpected, although she was ill. It was a tough Christmas last year, and this year is looking rough as well, but it is easier when you do it as a family.

I find it very coincidental that your avatar is a dragonfly, my grandmother (who was a spry sassy democrat at 67 when she died) loved them. I have a dragonfly tattoo in her memory on my back. I took one look at your avatar before reading the post and was flooded with memories of her. Then I read your post, thanks for sharing. She was my best friend and my teacher in all things political, I miss her dearly.

Peace to you and yours.

[amerikat]

29. The Dragonfly is a scan of an original wood block print by

A local artist named Michele Post. I rebuilt her front porch and was paid in art. I have many of her pieces on my walls. Great deal for both of us I think.

[Skittles]

27. what a wonderful story

my condolences for your mom - sounds like she raised some great kids.

[amerikat]

35. I feel like one of the five musketeers.

All for one and one for all. Thanks Skittles.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

30. Here's a hug

:hug: I'm sorry for your loss. I'll say a prayer for you and your family.
Duckie

[amerikat]

36. Thanks Duckie, I always enjoy your posts.

[complain jane]

31. {{{{{{{{{{{{ hugs }}}}}}}}}}}}

...to you and your family.

Now that's what Christmas is all about I think.

[babylonsister]

32. Amerikat, you have me

misty. I have 2 sisters, 2 brothers, and we all saw my mom through the cancer that ended her life. It was long and drawn out; I sympathize with your loss but am happy you had your siblings to share with. You sound like a very loving family! Merry Christmas.

[amerikat]

34. I'm happy that you has siblings too. I can't even imagine facing

something like that alone. One of my sisters said to my mom one day, "Mom it's a good thing that you had five children" My mother said back "as high maintenance as I am I should have had ten children":shrug:

[babylonsister]

39. Loved your mom's humor!

Mine was a card, too (originally from NY). I miss her, but when I think of her now I can laugh at her antics.

[amerikat]

41. She said lots of funny things. Her name was Janice and we called

them Janisms. Maybe after the holidays I will post some her greatest hits.

[babylonsister]

44. Well, here's to

Janice!.:toast:
My mom's name was Betty and she died when she was only 64.
Life goes on, and I look forward to hearing your Janisms when you feel like posting.

[amerikat]

49. and here's to Betty. She died so young.

:toast: :toast: :toast:

[Left Is Write]

33. Merry Christmas to you.

My sympathies on the loss of your mother. Your story of a your loving family has really touched me.

[Padraig18]

37. You just made me cry.

But as Duckie said to me earlier, it was a GOOD cry.

:hug:

[amerikat]

47. Nothing like a good cry. Natures relief valve to keep us from exploding

and that would make for a very messy world.

[mark414]

38. THAT is what this holiday is all about

i am sorry for your loss but glad to hear that you have such a strong support system

[samplegirl]

42. That would be a dream for me.

Not to bring down your night of joy. I feel i must tell you this
story..............so you can really appreciate your siblings.
In 1995 my Father passed away after a 2year illness. Everyday
I would shower and the day would start at my parents house.
Cleaning, cooking, and caring for my father making sure his
oxygen was ok or running to get meds. My two brothers and sister
which happens to be a nurse would pop in once a week for about 15min.
and you never knew when you would see them again.
I quit my job being the youngest of my siblings...as i felt my father
was more important and i was provided for.
2yrs. later my mother was 80yrs. old and felt i couldnt make the trip
everyday again back and forth. My family was put on the back burner
all the time.
Well, Im still caring for my mother who just turned 90 she makes her
home with me. Never have any of the other siblings every offered to
take her overnight or even for a weekend.
Nine years straight no vacations, no days off, my mother sees her
other kids.......on her birthday, mothers day, & christmas or if
she has a hospital stay. In and out for 15min. and dont know when
we will see them again. You are blessed! Truely blessed!

[amerikat]

45. I'm so sorry samplegirl.

I wish there was something I could do to help you. It's to much for you to do all alone. You are right I am truly blessed. If there is anything I can do to help you pm me. OK? You need to take a break, get someone to cover for you for a spell so you can breathe.

I noticed in your profile that you are a british sports car entusiast. What do you have? I used to own an MGA. But I always liked Austin Healys too.

[trof]

43. Magic, ain't it?

Dear americat,
Thank you for telling us/me about that.
It's nice to hear about other than disfunctional families.
Which includes mine.
Merry Christmas.

[amerikat]

46. We are not without faults and are a bit dysfunctional like every family

but we stick together and support each other as best we can.

[barb162]

48. It sounds like you have a truly wonderful caring family and that is

so precious. I am sorry you lost your mom.

[fluffernutter]

51. love. the true meaning of Christmas, and life.

that was beautiful, thank you for sharing that.

:hug: peaceful thoughts to you, my heart goes out to you and your sweet siblings as you mourn your mother.