Special Thoughts During Holidays

Hello everyone,

Not sure what holidays you celebrate where you are in the world in the fall winter time frame? Not sure what religion you practice?

I think during holidays it brings up special feelings for most people no matter where you are in the world or what religion you practice. I think that these feelings might be a bit different for people who might have special challenges or have a disability. Do any of you think this is true?

I personally have some very special feelings during the November - December holiday season. I will explain some.

Thanksgiving; A Lot to be Thankful For

Thanksgiving of 1999 I will always remember. I had been in the hospital since May because of a serious illness which caused me to go into a coma for 3 months and go completely blind. Illness also caused a few other undesirable conditions that affected my life forever. When Thanksgiving had come I was out of coma and able to eat solid foods again. I could not imagine what it would be like to experience Thanksgiving in a hospital. In preparation for my Thanksgiving Day dinner the thoughtful nurse ordered an extra dinner for my loving wife Kathy. Knowing I would be able to share in the delight of my Thanksgiving Day dinner with my wife made me very happy.

In the hospital my wife and I were served a very delicious turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. I was very delighted with the quality and taste of all the food I had. The smell from our dinners seemed to drift all around my hospital room, just like I was experiencing a home cooked meal. It smelled and felt like Thanksgiving for sure. I was very grateful to be alive and be able to get to experience Thanksgiving again with my loving wife. I had very much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving for sure!

It's Christmas Time

The next holiday I was able to experience in the hospital was Christmas. This time of year in the hospital, where I was calling my home for the last 7 months, was very festive and cheerful. They had people come in and sing and play musical instruments for the patients. One person even played a harp while another person sang. I loved her beautiful and peaceful harp music. The singing and music made most of my pain and discomforts go away. As I would lie in bed each day I would love to listen to the joy in the other patient’s voices as they talked to their visitors. I could hear the loving and caring in the visitors voices as they talked with their friend or family member that was in hospital. I listened for so many days I got to know them by voice and learned all about their lives. I never talked to these patients directly, only listened to them; I had a lot of time on my hands. I was very much hoping to go home by Christmas. I found out I was still too weak and sick to go home. My first reaction was extreme sadness. I had been waiting so long to go home. Then I thought my spending Christmas in the hospital was for the best. I wanted my wife and other family members to have a peaceful Christmas without having to worry or take care of me.

Christmas day had come. I could hear a click clack noise coming towards me. The click clack noise was getting louder and louder. Then I heard some employees making cat call noises like some males do when they see a beautiful woman. Then all of a sudden I heard my beautiful wife’s voice wish me a merry Christmas and felt a kiss. Kathy was wearing a very luxurious and beautiful Christmas dress and high heels shoes with hard soles; her shoes were what made the click clack noises I had heard earlier. This was a very merry Christmas for sure!

Time for a New Year

New Years 2000 was a very special day. I had finally got out of the hospital on December 28, 1999 after 7 long months. I thought the day I would leave the hospital would never come. I had dreamed about going home for months and there was always some medical complication which prevented me from going home. Besides the extreme joy of being able to leave the hospital in time for new years, I was home in time to celebrate my birthday on December 31st. After I was released from hospital Kathy helped me into the car, put my wheel chair in trunk with help from others; then we drove home. My mind was overwhelmed by many new sensations traveling without any sight

I was soon home. My wife and others hoisted me up the steps in my wheel chair so I could get into the house. I was finally home again after a long, enduring and at times very painful and uncomfortable stay in hospital. When I was in house I called out to my cats; they did not come over to me at first. They probably did not recognize me since I had been gone for so long. Once Kathy brought our cats to me they let me pet and give them a loving hug. I was then wheeled to my real bed with real blankets. With help I crawled into bed and pulled up the many blankets all the way up to my neck. I thought how comfortable, safe and loved I was. I was very happy to be able to spend each night with my wife again instead of laying in a hospital bed all alone each night with nobody to talk to or be close to. I was also grateful Kathy did not have to drive to the hospital each day any more like she did each day during the 7 months I was in hospital. I was happy that I did awake from my coma so my wife could hear me talk to her again. During the 3 months I was in the coma the only way Kathy could hear my voice was to dial our home phone number and listen to my voice on our answering machine. The thought of her listening to my recorded voice; not knowing if I would live or die made me very sad. I could not imagine how hard it must have been for her going through what she had to not knowing what would happen to me.

I did not have to wait long after getting home before it was my birthday and I was eating cake with family members and talking on phone to many friends. This was a very Happy Birthday and a very Happy New Years for sure!! Being at home with my loving wife was the best present anyone could ever ask for. Just because I could no longer see anything, could not walk or sit up in bed without great effort did not matter to me or Kathy. I was out of the hospital and we were together again. I was so grateful to have another chance at life.

Does anyone else have any meaningful experiences you want to share about holidays? Do you have any challenges that come up during the holidays? Any tips for others to help resolve these challenges? We would be very much interested in hearing about what other holidays others celebrate in different parts of the world during this time and any special meanings they have for you.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

Comments

[Beth]

Bill, I recall the day you took ill. The same day I had a stomach disorder too, so it was a shock to learn of your coma and illness. Your writing is a profound statement of what it means to encounter a disabling health issue and how lucky we all are to have another day on the planet.

[Debbe Kennedy]

Moving stories to touch many hearts. Mine was touched. Thank YOU!

Debbe

[Avril]

Bill, what an uplifting and inspiring story! You have a great spirit, with your ability to see the good in everything and get the most out of life. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with the rest of us. Merry Christmas - and happy, happy new year!

[Barbara Harberts]

Bill - Your stories highlight how important all the "small" things in life are to us - the holiday food smells, the voices of family and friends, a soft warm quilt or blanket. When I remember these things, it reminds me how many in our country don't have these simple pleasures and how giving to those less fortunate makes their holidays memorable too. After all, Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men is what the season is about. Thanks for reminding us and inspiring us !

[Mary Ellen Parker]

Bill you are a true inspiration to all and thank you for sharing your experiences with others. Your stories help others understand obstacles and emotions that most of us can not imagine or have not ever experienced. I'm so inspired by your strength and determination and your compasion for the difficulties and emotions that Kathy endured during your stay in the hospital. Thank you for reminding us to not take life for granted! I hope you and Kathy have a wonderful Christmas and the best New Year ever!

[Wolffman]

When I get mail from you, I sense the humility and strength of Jesus Christ. The incredible difficulties you've had to overcome as a result of the blindness makes me want to be a better Christian by seeking His face. I never hear you preach.... you just humbly take His direction and walk in faith. It's a privilege to know you.

[Cherie Buckner-Webb]

Bill -
Thanks so much for sharing. Powerful!
Cherie

[Bill Tipton]

Hello Beth, Debbe, Avril, Barbara, Mary Ellen, Cherie, Wolffman and everyone else!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. All of your comments truly touched me and most likely all the other readers we have from all over the world. For those of you who did not comment and just took time to read story; I thank you as well.

As we have seen from our comments the simplest things are life’s most important, when it really comes down to it. Like family, friends and the basic essentials in life. During the holidays some people might be too rushed to think about what the holidays really mean or what they represent in their pursuit to go through the motions of giving the external appearance that the individual is really experiencing the true joy of the holidays. .

As you have read in my initial stories; you never know what will happen to change your life forever; or even worse you might not be around to experience the pleasure of another holiday. We will pray that last thought not to be the case for any of us. There is no time in our lives’ to take things for granted!!

I want to share a family holiday tradition with you. When I had eyesight I would decorate a Christmas tree each year. Now that I am blind I will not let this family tradition pass me up. Read my story I call Decorating a Christmas Tree With No Eyesight at following URL.
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/disabilities/2006/12/decorating_a_ch.html

Does anyone have any special stories, traditions or thoughts you want to share about the holidays? Any special challenges with possible solutions you want to share? We would all love to hear from you.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

[Jake Joehl]

Hi Bill and everyone. For me the holidays are and have always been a very happy time. Fortunately I have never been in the hospital during a holiday. I celebrate Christmas, but I have some neighbors living above me who celebrate Hanukkah and all other Jewish holidays. However, theirs are quite somber because the eldest son died suddenly at age 27. I would prefer not to disclose the cause of death because it is very painful. But anyway, I have really enjoyed participating in their holiday traditions. I have a friend who actually was in the hospital over Thanksgiving this year. This friend is not visually-impaired but he is very diabetic and he has some other disabilities. Anyway, he was on vacation with his family, and he slipped in the shower and broke his leg pretty badly. The surgery had been postponed numerous times due to various complications, but it was finally done and my friend is now in rehab at an extended-care facility.

[Brian "Hack" Hackley]

Hey Bill - wishing you and Kathy a happy and healthy New Year. What a beautifully written article you wrote!

I recall the shock I felt of hearing of your illness. It suprises me to think that was over seven years ago! I recall coming to Mountain View and seeing you at the office and it does seem like yesterday. I also remember how happy, relieved, and glad all of us at HP were to hear you came out of your coma, and were able to return to work. Your recovery and ongoing work are an inspiration to me and to everyone who has read or heard your story!

Happy New Year,
Brian

[Enie]

That was great, I will start to send this to my friends who are special Ed teachers.It was a pleasure to meet you and tour wife. God Bless you amd all the people with a big heart like you.

[Doris]

Bill,

It was really nice talking to you today.
And your sharing of your Blog. It has indeed inspired me a lot after reading of your courage and strength to overcome the obstacles in live. (I have been sick for the past week with a nasty flu and very bad throat infection and already I was feeling so sorry for myself...). Your Blog has liven me again ! Thanks