Holidays in Denver

Yes, I am still in NJ passing time and wondering do I go back to AK or stay with my mom—who despite having a terminal prognosis seems fairly stable, but embraces her fate waking up everyday and saying, “I just didn’t think I’d be alive today.” Reality bites, but I am practicing my best forms of patiences, presence and faith.

I figured why not reminisce about the good ‘ol days in December when I was present with Justin’s family in Denver.

It’s unbelievable that Justin had an infection brewing in his system the whole time we were gallivanting around Denver. And I mean gallivanting. We had 2 full days with our 11-year-old and 9-year-old nephews, a 4-mile hike at 7,000 feet elevation and countless other holiday-related activities.

Every year, we like to do something different and special with the boys one-on-one. And this year, I picked the Denver Slick City Action Park, which basically had 9 different slides (without water) and an air basketball court. I could barely contain my adult excitement, as I’ve ALWAYS had a fondness for slides. Remember getting in a potato sack and going down the giant slide at carnivals (that probably didn’t fit modern-day safety standards with loose bolts and splintered fiberglass)??? Despite my enthusiasm, I still felt my age, garnering a few bruises and deep stiffness.

The craziest slide at the park was the Megalaunch, which only Everett (the limber 11-year-old) would brave with me once. I would have done it again, but he was like, “No Aunt Pay. I’m good.”

We also typically do a special aunts+uncle day with Justin’s sister & wife. The weather was so mild in Denver, we decided to go mini golfing and for a hike!

And our last activity was a hike with friends. Just 12 hours after this, Justin was in the hospital.

Though our time in CO ended on a sour note with Justin in the hospital from Christmas Eve through Dec. 27 for a bacterial infection, we thoroughly enjoyed our time. (And thankfully, he’s back in Healy making his full recovery without his best nurse!)