Blue Christmas?

[Gail]

Is there anyone for whom Christmas is a downer time?

I had so many of those in my life, and I would like to encourage you...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

:::raises hand::: []http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/Rudywoofs/icon_sad.gif[/]

[Nan]

We are aware that Christmas can be one of the hardest days of the year for some people.

Pam, I hope you have some friends or family near who will help and bless you this year.

(I remember 10 years ago, which was the first Christmas after my then husband had left me to live with some one else. We had a gathering of family at my house that was quite wonderful, it lifted my spirits immensely, something I had wondered about turned into a time of joy. I hope others in lonely situations can find similar support).

[Clio]

Pam, I can totally relate.

Cling tight to Jesus my friend. He's always there, and always loving you.

Clio

[Jeannieb43]

A blue Christmas for me was about 20 years ago, when I elected to have my gallbladder surgery during the kids' Christmas vacation [they were all teenagers and still living at home with me]. Their father and his new wife took all three of them skiing to Colorado for a week. When they returned the kids, my dear sister [visiting me for the holidays] opened the door to welcome them in, and she [in an effort to show good manners] welcomed the new wife into the house with open arms, and they sat and visited in MY living room just like old friends. I was lying in bed upstairs, just newly discharged from the hospital, and I heard them laughing and joking, and the new wife saying "Oh, I'm really the Wicked Stepmother"...!" etc. Sis was laughing at her joking, and I just started crying my heart out. I thought it was rather rude of them to act as though I wasn't home, and to joke as though she was an old friend.

Well, the children finally came upstairs to greet me, and when they saw me in tears, I recall my son just flinging himself down on top of the covers beside me in the big bed--he said, "Oh MOM! You're our MOTHER, and NObody else can EVER take your place!"

I was so reassured then.

And many occasions afterward served to reaffirm their love for me.

God does take care of us.

[Naomi]

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Gail said:

Is there anyone for whom Christmas is a downer time?

I had so many of those in my life, and I would like to encourage you...

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YES and yes. I really have no real reson for getting the "blues" at Christmas. Other than the usual not enough money, too many demands on time and energy. the trying to live up to everyone's vision of the perfect family celebrating the perfect Christmas.

Almost every Christmas season I really wish I was courageous enough to just end it all.

This year was much better than any from the past and yet ....it's still not what the commercials tell us we should expect.

Naomi

[LynnDel]

I don't remember Christmas last year. This one didn't "feel" like Christmas, but it was nice having family here, and a crowd of friends who came on Friday night and sang Christmas carols until just before the dog spotted a skunk, took chase, and filled the house with skunk smell, the front door being open due to the unseasonably warm weather. What would life be without little events like this to make it interesting?

LD

P.S. The dog is banished from the house until her perfume wears off. From her point of view, this has been a terrible Christmas.

[Jeannieb43]

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Naomi said:

Almost every Christmas season I really wish I was courageous enough to just end it all.

...it's still not what the commercials tell us we should expect.

Naomi

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Oh, Naomi. Please don't think of ending it all. To do that wouldn't be courage, IMHO, it would be cowardice -- leaving your loved ones to face the future without you. [Did you see "It's a Wonderful Life" played on TV this season?]

There IS help out there. Please ask for it.

You did great, so far! And what works for me is to just put one foot in front of the other, every day, whether I feel like it or not. The feeling follows the actions.

My prayers are with you.

And P.S. The TV commercials are so fake! Even the actors themselves don't really feel that good when they're doing the acting. NObody has a perfect life. But we do have a perfect future to look forward to.