My Unexpected Christmas Present

So I am laying on the coach tonight, Christmas Day.  The presents have been unwrapped, the day was spent with my family, and I have a big smile on my face! However, I do not feel good.  My stomach is twisted in pain, I feel like I want to throw up, and my neck/shoulders ache like no other!  It seems that I received one additional present this year for Christmas...gluten!  This is the frustrating thing about having Celiac Disease!  You try to do everything you can to enjoy the holidays and prevent cross contamination, but yet it sneaks in somewhere.  My family can tell you that before Christmas, I suggested to everyone how they could make their dishes gluten free.  (Definitely hard to do without overwhelming the family members and causing them extra worry).  Today, I made sure to be the first in line, so I could use non-contaminated utensils.  (While practically running over a family member to beat him to the table of food).  I also only ate and drank things that contained only gluten free ingredients.  (Trust me, I asked every single person what was in their dishes before eating them).  However, as the day wore on, I became tired.  I chalked that up as just part of the holidays.  Then my pants became tight.  Yep, must have eaten too much I thought.  Then the stomach pains and nausea set in and I knew I was in trouble!  My body began to ache and I am now fully miserable!  I have a heating pad on my neck, my stretchy pants on, and I get sick at just the thought of food.  I know that I will just have to sleep it off and wait for it to get out of my system but it makes me frustrated!  Why can't I just enjoy a holiday without all of the food planning, worry about cross contamination, unwanted attention I have to draw to myself in order to ensure I am safe, and the horrible side effects?  I know that it could be worse with this disease...I have experienced it and thank goodness this was just a small exposure to gluten.  I write this in hopes that you think about the people at your family holidays and get togethers that have food allergies or other health issues.  Try to educate yourself, ask questions about what they are going through, and most of all, help make them feel comfortable when they have to stand up for themselves to ensure that they can enjoy the holidays as much as you.  Just your support and understanding will mean the world to them!  If you are unsure where to start, then ask me.  I am willing to answer any questions you have...