Holidays can be hard...

[Squirt's Mom]

(((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))

I'm sure your dear friends are reading those cards over your shoulder and know which one is theirs, whether there is a stamped envelop in the mail or not.

[Budsters Mom]

((((((((Hugs)))))))Yes, it really hurts when our loved ones are no longer with us, particularly around the holidays.

[molly muffin]

The tree has been up for a week and I am very much not interested in doing the decorations on it, however, but since hubby is gone till mid week, I have decided to do it, with the help of one or more bottles of wine.

I have no excuse why I am so uninterested in christmas this year. I always loved it before. But I haven't put any decorations up outside, I haven't put any up inside either, except for the lonely tree.

Maybe because I'm working nonstop it feels like. Even 1/2 day on christmas and new years eve. Hubby won't be here for the office christmas party, our last year ad the company will no longer pay for it and he has never missed it in over 20 years. Both of our go south vacations have been cancelled, due to either my BIL's injury or other factors. We might try for February but no guarantees.

And I am feeling awful for my sister who is also lonely and depressed with her husband now in a care facility on bed rest till they decide what to do next.

yea, see I read this and think gawd, this is so not how I usually am. I hate it and everything I try to pick myself up out of the doldrums doesn't seem to be working.

When I think of what so many are going through, the loss of friends and family, precious furpups, that just makes me sadder.

[labblab]

This is so definitely not you, Sharlene, and just goes to show how much stress you've been under. That is so crappy that hubs won't be home for the party, although I guess he'd not be allowed to be a dancin' machine this year, regardless .

When it comes to the holidays, it just seems like it is so hard to escape expectations and comparisons. It is so hard to let each day just unfold, for better or worse. Or at least it's hard for me to do that. Even though this weekend sure won't win any awards for best holiday weekend ever, I hope you will still have some moments of fun thrown in, regardless. And same for me, and same for everybody else!

[addy]

It doesn't have to be the holiday in the movies or in the books or like holidays past. It is ok for it to be just a so so kind of holiday, not super, say like a Currier and Ives kind of holiday with some Hallmark channel thrown in for good measure.

And presents come in different packages, not necessarily found under the tree.

Today I was driving home very carefully, as my brain is not really great right now when a thought occurred to me. A thought I had never had before. I had been telling a co worker about Zoe's story- how she knew this house and started crying as we drove up the street,jumping up with her front paws on the dash board as we turned down the lane. She knew this was home, it was like she had been here before.

When hubby and I first came to this house,I had that same feeling. We drove up the street and I knew I had been here before. We peered into the dining room windows and I told hubby "I know this house, I have been here before."

Then today driving home, I realized for the first time that the two events connected. That both Zoe and I knew this house and knew it was home. My heart soared with happiness as I felt my love for Zoe, that deep,unending love, that knew no boundary, no limits, was real and meant to happen.

I felt it was the greatest present I could have ever received. And I gave it to myself.

Must have been that bump on the head

Thanks for listening.

[Budsters Mom]

presents come in different packages, not necessarily found under the tree.

I totally agree! Thank you for sharing your awesome gift. Now take care of yourself girl! xxxooo

[Budsters Mom]

Yes Sharlene, not like you at all. I usually live vicariously through you. You are overwhelmed with life right now my dear. Try not to put so much pressure on yourself to get everything done. The holidays will come regardless, so try to let them unfold naturally. Maybe by the second bottle of wine, you'll begin to see ornaments on the tree and you won't have to do anything. Lol

[jma1154]

Amen to that they are hard indeed. I still haven't decorated for any holiday, I just don't feel in the mood to do so. I miss my Caseybug, I miss her smile and her bright eyes, that tail that would knock the tree over if it got going too close to it. Most of all I miss her love, it is the love of a lifetime and still carries me through each day thinking of how muched she loved me. And when I need more I come to see my family here at the forum and I read a few entries and light candle and mourn with those that have come for the same reasons and reminisce about better times. Thank you to you all and happy holidays. Jill

[labblab]

Oh Jill, welcome to our holiday table! Some seats are empty, never to be physically filled again. But on this Christmas Eve, let us still set all the places ever so carefully with our memories and our love. And in this way, our precious ones remain always honored. It is not the same as before, and therein lies the pain. But it remains a holiday, nevertheless, because we do remember them with love. And we know what an incredible gift it was to spend time on this earth together.

[labblab]

For all who wish to join in, let's each light a candle and fill our family's page with honor, love and remembrance:

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/...m?l=eng&gi=K9C

~ Always in Loving Memory ~