Happy holidays?

My family celebrates Christmas.

It's been one of my favorite holidays since I was a child.

But, for an adult, Christmas (like most celebrations) is so much more work than it is for children. For an adult with chronic health issues, there is still magic, but with an underlying premonition of exhaustion and pain.

This year, for example, we hosted a gathering on December 23, so that some of our extended family members could join us.  There were 17 of us in total, four of whom were children aged 6 and under.  One or two of the "adults" appeared to be under the age of 6 as well.

My husband and I spent days in preparation:  housecleaning, attempting to cobble a menu out of what people offered to bring, and shopping.  

The party itself was loud, crazy, chaotic and fun.  But after everyone had gone, we had to do the dishes, as well as clean and tidy.  My feet were as sore as if I'd spend an entire day walking, and the rest of me could barely move.  

Around 9 p.m., I stumbled upstairs and into bed.

The next day, we were both still tired and creaky, and lounged around for the better part of the day.

We didn't have to cook on Christmas Day, having been invited to a late lunch with my husband's mother, his sister and her husband. 

Aftewards, I felt like I had enough energy to walk through Naples to see the Christmas lights.  

I was wrong.  

After 20 minutes, I could barely walk, but we had to finish our circuit in order to get back to the car.  My strategy was to rest for a moment here and there by stopping to take pictures.  Some of them turned out beautifully, but I still limped for the final block.

Today is Boxing Day.  December 26th.  

I'm exhausted, and in so much pain I can hardly move without weeping.  

Happy holidays.