Happy Sunday, Journeyer (said in the voice of Frosty’s “Happy Birthday!”)

This afternoon I come to you from the passenger seat of a car that Fave and I rented for a quick road trip.

But first, let me start from the beginning…

As you know, I spent last Saturday and Sunday in a hotel, waiting for my son to make it to Colorado for surgery…

And when unknown obstacles delayed him, Whirrel’s (Fave’s girlfriend’s new nickname) sister came from Denver to take me back to their place, where I stayed for two days until my son finally made it in on Wednesday…

We have been waiting ever since to get in to see the surgeon, while in the meantime he’s been meeting with a physical therapist…

As he didn’t have any appointments scheduled for the weekend, he decided to take the thirteen-hour drive to Las Vegas to watch his gal compete in her first competition back after a major elbow injury and subsequent surgery. Such is the life of elite athletes…

Following her day-long event, we hit the streets for a bite to eat at this fabulous outdoor grill and bar that had $1 beer and mixed drinks (can you BELIEVE IT?!), a little sight-seeing, and a little casino action.

Seeing as I’d had little sleep the previous few nights and the fact that Fave and I were heading out first thing in the morning, I didn’t stay out with them for long, though even our short time together still had me out until one o’clock…

I hate to complain, Journeyer, but I must say that I am tired and anxious and plum worn out.

The not knowing is draining.

The moving from place to place every two nights is exhausting.

I miss Warren.

I miss my dog.

I miss my bed.

I miss my friends.

I miss my Christmas decorations.

I miss watching The Voice with Hubby.

I miss my marathon Hallmark Christmas movie nights.

I miss seeing Big Guy, who just came home for his Christmas break from college.

Yeah…

It’s hard to find joy when life seems to be dragging you under, isn’t it, Journeyer?

You know what I’m talking about.

All this aside, however, there are moments that have kept me from disappearing into that quicksand of sadness…

Those little instances are what keep hope in my heart, shine happiness into my soul, and lift me when I am down…

Here’s a list of those things that have fed my happy this past week, Friend, they are the fleeting moments that comprise the road of happiness…

Colorado sunshine is both brilliant and reliable.

My Denver friend has a rescued pooch who not only looks like an oversized version of our rescue, Patches, he is also a cuddler and was a great bed companion while I was at their house.

Fave and I have had some fabulous bonding time, a long-overdue process and one I’ve dreamt about for years…

My cell phone and Facebook’s Facetime feature keep me and Hubby connected when we’re apart; the gadget being an even bigger blessing when we’re apart for extended periods of time.

The Hampton Inn staff welcomed me with smiles, homemade-like cookies, the Hallmark Channel, and super comfy accommodations.

The Grief Diaries anthologies I had a hand in have been released!!!

If you or someone you know needs a little connection or courage during this holiday season, please consider purchasing one of the titles in the series.

I co-authored Loss of a Child and contributed to Loss of an Infant.

The Olympic Training Center’s room and resources are also appreciated beyond measure, not to mention an amazing staff who greets me with a warm smile wherever I go.

Speaking of the center, Fave didn’t have any physical appointments scheduled for the weekend, so he asked me to accompany him on a trip to Las Vegas to see his gal compete, followed by a nite out on the town. (which for me meant dinner, perusing a few of the casinos, ten bucks in a slot machine, then a cab ride to get me back to bed by one o’clock.)

I am grateful that our time on the strip fell a few hours before that horrible incident that injured many and killed at least one…

The drive to and from was exquisite, Journeyer, and the holiday displays that popped up in fields everywhere excited me to no end.

Christmas can be had anywhere!

I’d like to start out by saying that if you like to shop local and ever find yourself in a situation like mine, where you can’t be home to complete your shopping lists, reach out to one of your local shop owners. One of the fabulous shops in my area sent me their digital catalog and then pulled all of the items together for me. They even offered to wrap any items I needed wrapping.

That process gives whole new meaning to the shopping small, Journeyer: You can “shop local” even when you are thousands of miles away from home.

Everybody wins!

And, speaking of home, I have to tell you that I don’t really identify with the proverb “Home is where the heart is.”

That saying begs that we are some place else, that the fulfillment we experience wherever we are is somehow limited by our desire to be some place else, or at a minimum to return to some place else.

I like to say, “Home is where I am.”

Though I do miss those things I am accustomed to, those daily little rituals and places, people, and pets, I do choose to make myself comfortable wherever I am.

This week, home is a dorm room that includes a comfy, duvet-covered bed, dressers to house the nine days of clothing I brought with me, access to a washer and dryer, three square meals a day that are prepared by some amazing chefs,  stores within walking distance, and a different kind of Christmas display that welcomes me back several times a day.

There’s a possibility that Fave’s surgery won’t happen until after the holiday and we might fly out to be with the rest of our family for our planned trip to spend Christmas with my side of the family, a first in I can’t recall how many years.

Regardless of where we are, though, one thing is absolutely certain: I’ll be home for Christmas.

What about you, Journeyer, what moment fed your happy during this busy time of year? Share something in a comment below and spread a little joy.

Until next time, yours in hope, healing, and happiness,