A snippet of real life

 I wasn't going to do a post today, it's Christmas, and sacred for me. However, my children aren't home yet, and it's been one hell of a 24 hours...

Yesterday, was a normal Christmas Eve, until driving to church with my middle. She told me that she had to wrap the gift her dad bought his new girlfriend of three weeks. Yikes. Slight jealousy set in... I don't have anyone to buy me expensive jewelry for Christmas. Oh well. We laughed about how she should have put a not inside saying that it was specially wrapped by her.

Then, we got to church. The church was beautiful and lovely, and the music was perfect. While waiting though, I saw the perfect family. I have watched them over the years as the children grow. The stay at home mom, the handsome dad, two boys who look like they get along. Mom fixes Dad's hair while looking at him with absolute love. Ugh, jealousy again. I don't have that. Not even on Christmas did my ex come to church with me. I often sit at church alone, while my children have "jobs" at church. Then I remember that there is a whole side that I don't see. There is always more than meets the eye. 

Then, I get home after dropping off the middle to her dad's and I am alone on Christmas Eve with my dog. After reminding myself that I planned this, I go about setting up the Christmas tree with gifts, last minute wrapping, etc. My bathroom pipes had frozen the day before in the cold wind, and I am hoping they thaw before I go to bed, as the taps are open, and I don't want water running all night. Then I hear it, tap one is open. Woot woot. I decide to wait and 10 minutes later, just after midnight, the other one unfreezes. Yay! Except wait, what the heck is that noise. Oh no! Despite the taps being open, the pipe still burst, and it's Niagara Falls in the basement. Find the shut off, and now there is no water for the whole house, on Christmas Eve. Fantastic. After looking and cleaning things up, realize that there is nothing to be done. I text those that were invited for Christmas dinner to say it's canceled, text my ex, who has the kids, to say shit hit the fan. 

Coming upstairs, I discover that my dog took that opportunity to get into her stocking. 

Then I have a good cry. This isn't how Christmas was supposed to go. Alone, crying with no running water to wash my face. Ugh. And then I remember, it could be worse. I could have stayed with Asshole! 

The above picture I took a screenshot of 5 years ago. It was in my Time Hop this morning. While last night I was feeling very woe is me, this morning, with enough water for my coffee, I am feeling my regular old self.

There are different kinds of hard. Life isn't always easy, but it sure is much better without the Asshole of Stratford in your life. If you are navigating Christmas this year with him in your life, just know that it doesn't have to be this chaotic. Life gets better without him. Even a Christmas with no running water, is better than a Christmas with him.