My aunt threw a hissy fit and didn't come down at all, partly since Mom and my sister pissed her off by asking her constantly if she was still sick (which, as I know well, my mom is overbearing and my sister is hypochondriac), and partly because she hates driving longer, unfamiliar distances on the Parkway (even though the Parkway is one of the easiest roads ever - just go straight until you hit whatever exit you're aiming for). She really is too old at this point, partly physically, but more mentally, to step outside of her comfort zone. I suspect she will live the remainder of her life that way, always looking backward to a whitewashed, idyllic version of the past when the family was much larger and closer together. I can understand that longing to a degree, but it's also a sad way to spend your last years.

We had baked her favorite cookies and my mom made a special recipe, so on Friday my parents are going north for a doctor's appointment and will bring them to her, but I know completely missing Christmas this year will just make my aunt even more bitter about her life. We've done what we can though, so I can't feel guilty about it. 

So the new year was again just the four of us in the family, still living in close quarters, but at least I have my escape ready to go. I'm about 95% packed, I've made all the arrangements, so it's deep breathing, getting through the next few days, pushing hard Wed-Thurs and then collapsing and resting on Friday. It's just about go time!