It's Christmas...

I supposed it's technically Boxing Day now as it is after midnight.

I don't have anything terribly inspiring to say, nothing too heartfelt, but a couple of quick and super awesome things.

This year I did not have to:

- ask for a pass from the hospital or a program to spend time with my family

- be in photos with a tube hanging from my nose

- spend most of the day sleeping due to high doses of anti-anxieties or physical exhaustion secondary to starvation

- plan a tube feed or other schedule around any pass I might have

- stress about what meal came next and/or how to skip it

- sneak to the bathroom, backyard, or bedroom to throw up whatever I did eat

- take hundreds of laxatives now that I am home alone after a long day of eating and drinking

- regret losing the last year of my life to my eating disorder

- dread the year ahead

- wonder if this was my last Christmas because of the ED

- have to call and ask what exactly I should be eating for any given meal

- dread waking up to get on a scale

- feel guilt.  At all.

- feel regret.  At all.

I did, however:

- feel happy throughout the day complete with a few unexpected turns

- enjoy what food and drinks were offered, as I wanted them

- give and receive hugs freely

- maintain eye contact and engage in many interactions

- laugh and smile from the inside

- allow myself to be completely present in my moments, even slightly removed as a "spectator" at times, just to really take in the whole wonderful scene

- look forward to tomorrow's plans with friends

- refrain from giving material gifts as planned

- do what felt right to me as it pertained to religious traditions, without guilt

- get really excited to dress up and did not think about the size of the clothes I was wearing

- feel thankful for this wonderful opportunity to experience the season as the person I have become

What an amazing list, and I could go on.  The difference is so remarkable but feels so completely natural.  This is how Christmas was supposed to feel all along - joyful, peaceful, content, and loved.

Gone are the days of self-hatred so deep that I could not see past it; as are the days of years passing with me standing by, waiting for the strength, courage, and direction to change.

For all of this and much more that I cannot think to put words to because I am tired from this day - I am so thankful.

Merry Christmas.