Christmas 2015 and New Year 2016

Christmas 2015
Dear Friends and Family,
My Creative Writing Group has a prompt for those of us that are not working on a novel. This month the topic is “What is the Advantage”. I have no idea what that means or what it means to me. So I thought I would take advantage of my annual Christmas letter and incorporate this homework. 2015 has been health challenged. I found that I had to take advantage of my insurance and visit a mental health therapist a few times. It helped but no magical answers. I find I am still not following the diabetic diet and have not gotten my blood sugar under control.  I have ripe cataracts and without clearance from my ‘sugar doctor’ I am not cleared for the operation. I must get myself under control because; I find no advantage in going blind.
Mother & Dad came home from Florida this year in poor health. In June, she passed out in the bathroom and hit the tub breaking five ribs. She was in the hospital and rehabilitation hospital until July 4th. Four days later she passed out again. This time, they found she had a heart attack and ended up with three stents. November 13th she passed out again and tore up her right knee.  Released to a rehab nursing home, she passed out and fell again injuring the other knee. I am going up to help out, every other week. I thank GOD every day I am not an only child. My sister and brother are wonderful. Both Mother (85) and Dad (88) are now down to their college weights when they first met in 1948. They are upset that they are not in Florida this season. I realize the advantage of making some life decisions now, and not leave my family guessing.  We are looking forward to Christmas with Mother and Dad. Now that is an advantage to this year of sickness.
Deb and Barry are doing fine. Barry (69) has taken on a new role in his Masonic group. We are all very proud of him. Debbie (55) is teaching Astronomy classes this year and, of course, helping Dad and Mother –between classes and life. They have two cats they love and who take full advantage of my sister.
Tom and Karen are doing well and looking forward to a 2016 Alaskan vacation the month after Deb and Barry get back from their vacation in Alaska. Tom and Karen and their extended  family enjoyed a family vacation in Colorado this year. The pictures were beautiful. Tom took a fall over a tree, broke a rib and cut his leg up badly. He is doing well now and continues to be the contact person with my parents’ medical issues. I hope he forgives me for taking advantage of him with my parents.
Both my nieces were in their cousins wedding this year as Jesse Rae Thomas married Craig Taylor. We spend Christmas with them at Tom and Karen’s dinner and have watched this little girl grow up to a beautiful woman. I have enjoyed the advantage of our extended family and even met a published author at her shower and wedding. Heather and Matt still live in Texas but sold their house and are searching for another. They are now living with Matt’s mother. Heather turned 28 plus 2 (30) this year and still loves teaching. It is hard to believe our little girl has been married a year and a half.
The big news is our Rachel (28) bought her first HOUSE! It is located north of Wilmington DE. It is close enough that Tom can come by on the way home from work and do some remolding with her. It is an adorable three bedroom two bath house with a fenced in yard and detached garage. Two houses away is the still active lighthouse. I think it looks like a Thomas Kincaid painting at twilight.
I continue to give things to a local Community thrift store.  I was able to get rid of my grandparent’s breakfront in my living room. I also continue to do my craft classes and bring home the projects or give them away. I am not very good, but I enjoy them. I still belong to two book clubs and, of course, my writing group. I find I need to revisit the joy of time management to take full advantage of my time. LOL
I hope this finds all of you in good health. I pray for a calmer 2016.  Next year I sign up for Medicare! peace robin