O, Christmas Tree

Christmas has long since passed, but we still have our small tree up in our bedroom. That tree is staying up indefinitely. It seems silly, but I refuse to take it down until Sydney is gone. This may eventually change, but for now the tree stays. One of my favorite things during the holiday season is to wake up and see Sydney lying on the floor with the glow of Christmas lights illuminating her. I can't imagine no longer having that experience, and I want to savor it for as long as possible.

This picture doesn't do justice to what I see when I wake up and see Sydney under the Christmas tree. 

Given Sydney's last blood work, we were having a difficult time being optimistic. Then, last Friday happened. Red blood count, while still low, has improved. Kidney function is normal. Needless to say, I cried tears of relief with that news. In that instant, the stress that I did not know I was experiencing was suddenly gone.

That tree almost came down that day, but now it has a superstitious quality to it. If I take it down, will things decline? It's almost like someone wearing the same hat when their team plays. I am not willing to take that chance, and I am thankful for every morning I see that sweet Blonde Bear under the Christmas Tree.