It is very hard to be the author of this blog and to have failed at a very doable challenge. There are some good reasons why I was not able to make this happen in the time frame that was set. I changed two medications and I was in chronic pain from a neck issue. It was difficult to exercise because of both of the circumstances. Before I knew it, Thanksgiving happened as it always does at this time of year. By then I had already failed, so the incentive became, "Just don't gain weight!" I was able to achieve this alternate goal.
Then, I found myself thrown back into mourning for my youngest brother, who was my closest childhood friend:-(. I did not expect the flood of emotions that rolled over me. He has been gone for five years, but I still can't believe he is not in the world anymore. The grief, the shock, the tears ambush me sometimes, especially on or near the day of his death, the day before Thanksgiving, 2008. As he was younger than me, I did not expect to ever have to do without him.
I was, however, blessed by the presence of my next oldest brother, a mere eighteen months older than me. Despite his mobility issues, we were able to take in some of the sites of beautiful central Oregon, including a lava bed, several buttes, a bald eagle, Tumalo Falls, and Crater Lake. It was the first time in many years that we have shared the Thanksgiving festivities. It was our mom's favorite holiday:-), which brings back some good memories. Along with this dear brother, some of my favorite people sat around the table including, my husband, my daughter and son-in-law, and my thirteen-month-old granddaughter.
The holidays are, for me, a mine field at times. There has been so much loss over the years. So, instead of heading into Christmas and New Year's trying to lose weight, I am merely going to try to do what I did through Thanksgiving. I am going to try not to gain weight. With all the wonderful sweets and savory dishes, the special drinks and festive favorites, this will be an accomplishment. That's my goal until the end of the year. I encourage you to set a realistic goal for yourself. You can do it!
