Lisa Anne Wintory's Christmas

Lisa update, Christmas Eve
If Christmas Eve is supposed to be one of excitement and anticipation, than I hope we can be forgiven for making Christmas Eve’s day one of rest, contemplation of our many blessings and prayers for those who’ve been such a blessing to us.

The venue couldn’t be better;. We’re in the wonderful new healing garden at St. Joseph’s Medical Center; a beautiful acre of block granite fountains, sculptures that move with the breeze (we have breeze in Arizona, these would spin into the ground in Oklahoma), beautiful desert plants grouped carefully around the meandering paths and patios.

It’s warm in the sun, the air is cool enough for this to be perfect napping weather, and Maggie, Michael and Mom Lisa are taking full advantage. Michael is asleep in his mom’s lap, displacing Maggie, at least temporarily. He lies across Lisa; head on the armrest of her wheelchair with his legs below the knee dangling down the other armrest. Outdoor speakers softly play gentle Christmas music to compete with the water splashing down the face of the fountains. Only the regular helicopters landings bringing tragedy from “out there” to hope and help “in here” which serves to reminds us where we are.

Lisa’s dozing follows a good night’s sleep, I know because we were given a special Christmas gift from Dr. Bliss, (with the intercession from our angels in rehab) and for the first time in months, our family spent the night together. The dispensation will last through the Christmas weekend so Lisa, Maggie, Michael and I will be together to share Michael’s first Christmas Eve and morning together.

It’s hard to know the best gift, but having Lisa’s brother coming again to see Lisa and then drag me to the Fiesta Bowl to watch OU play here in Phoenix will be a great way for our entire family to start the New Year.

I hope each of you have a bit of the joy you have brought our family this Christmas. God bless you all. Richard