Purim

With Gregory at Lieberman Center, we have been celebrating more Jewish holidays than every before :-)

Here are a few photos from the Purim Mask Making Party. At Purim children dress up as characters from the biblical story.

Purim |ˈpo͝orim, po͝oˈrēm| noun
a lesser Jewish festival held in spring (on the 14th or 15th day of Adar) to commemorate the defeat of Haman's plot to massacre the Jews as recorded in the book of Esther.
Gregory back upstairs after the Purim Party.

Peaceful The Bear in his Purim Mask.

Gregory, happy as can be.

Sometimes Gregory looks "grumpy" even when he is having a good time.

Here he is with Katharine, Art therapist at Lieberman.

Holiday Time

(Disclaimer Below Entry)

We always look forward and are excited about the Christmas season. We decorate the house early and take it down late. We throw a large party (this year over 40 attended,) and a number of smaller ones. We bake cookies (this year over 20 dozen,) wrap presents (for family and support service people and just a few for each other,) go to the Christmas Kris Kringle Market downtown, have a few theater engagements, and eat out a little more often than usual. 

On Christmas Eve we cook a special dinner at home and watch the George C. Scott version of "A Christmas Carol, open our presents, have cookies and tea. On Christmas Day we go to friends for dinner. We have friends in for New Year's Eve and look forward to a visit from our niece and nephew for a late Christmas sometime during the middle of January.

Disclaimer: It used to be WE, now it is I because Gregory is no longer able to help with planning, preparation, execution, and/or cleanup of all these events. I do get tired but also get extra sleep. I do get overwhelmed, but also try to keep the details simple. I do have my annual Christmas Cry but cheer up pretty quickly. 

In all, it is well worth while because Gregory still enjoys the festivities and even thrives on them even though it is a little more difficult for me during the down time when he seems a little more confused. But the holidays still work for us so WE (read I) will hold on to them for as long as possible and simplify them as we go along and as necessary. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.