I’m done with holidays. I go thru the motions for my son, although I suspect he doesn’t care. Daughter is far away and my late husbands family, well, let’s just say there is no contact now. These are just multiple stressful days full of tears for me now.
... family may not care anymore, but there are other people who would LOVE to have a bit of holiday cheer, aren't there? Nursing home residents, for example. They would dearly love someone to read The Night Before Christmas or A Christmas Carol to them. Or just talk to them, listen to them. Or a neighbor who would love your cookies. There are little animals in shelters who would love a visit or a walk. Maybe you and I can't do those particular things, but there is always something we can do to cheer one person's day - and it would cheer us as well to do it. I wish you well Fat Turkey Farm! Sharron at 🍁Leaves
Mmm. I love your discussion here of how it depends on how you look at it! I agree, holidays can be stressful, but if we choose to look through the lens of "joy" and "want to", I find myself cutting way down on shopping and cooking and more on just being with my family members. Today I put up my mini Christmas tree (takes two seconds to plug it in). I'm all about presence not presents! lol
Two of my three children live out of state, so we never have a holiday where we're all together (it's hard traveling with small children, especially during the holidays.) Fortunately, I can travel and do so, attempting to split time between them.
But, the changes are hard. I remember my Mom got depressed at Christmastime. As a younger person I didn't understand why, but like all people, she had a backstory. Later, as an adult, I figured out why. For most of us it's the memories of what we don't have any longer. But, as with everything we must learn to let go and create new traditions that bring us a new kind of joy. Wayne Dyer said: "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." It's about perception, which is tricky, but not impossible.
I hear you Janice. We don't have a Thanksgiving in Australia so Christmas does the heavy lifting. My family lives far away, my daughter and her family in London. The good news is that all my family will be here for Christmas including my 90 year old Dad. What more could I want from Santa?
It will never make up for the loss of general popping in and out if we lived close by but I appreciate every moment of us all being together no matter how frazzled it may get at times.
Hi, It is the memories of what was that causes the sadness, I think. Wayne Dyer is one of my favorites. His words are wise.
Oh, Janice, it's like you got inside my head and wrote these words. Well said, spot on, and so relevant. Thank you, thank you!!!
I’m done with holidays. I go thru the motions for my son, although I suspect he doesn’t care. Daughter is far away and my late husbands family, well, let’s just say there is no contact now. These are just multiple stressful days full of tears for me now.
Going through the motions - that's a great description. My hope is that the days will get better for you as time goes by. Take care.
... family may not care anymore, but there are other people who would LOVE to have a bit of holiday cheer, aren't there? Nursing home residents, for example. They would dearly love someone to read The Night Before Christmas or A Christmas Carol to them. Or just talk to them, listen to them. Or a neighbor who would love your cookies. There are little animals in shelters who would love a visit or a walk. Maybe you and I can't do those particular things, but there is always something we can do to cheer one person's day - and it would cheer us as well to do it. I wish you well Fat Turkey Farm! Sharron at 🍁Leaves
Mmm. I love your discussion here of how it depends on how you look at it! I agree, holidays can be stressful, but if we choose to look through the lens of "joy" and "want to", I find myself cutting way down on shopping and cooking and more on just being with my family members. Today I put up my mini Christmas tree (takes two seconds to plug it in). I'm all about presence not presents! lol
I love it, "I'm all about presence not presents."
Two of my three children live out of state, so we never have a holiday where we're all together (it's hard traveling with small children, especially during the holidays.) Fortunately, I can travel and do so, attempting to split time between them.
But, the changes are hard. I remember my Mom got depressed at Christmastime. As a younger person I didn't understand why, but like all people, she had a backstory. Later, as an adult, I figured out why. For most of us it's the memories of what we don't have any longer. But, as with everything we must learn to let go and create new traditions that bring us a new kind of joy. Wayne Dyer said: "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." It's about perception, which is tricky, but not impossible.
I hear you Janice. We don't have a Thanksgiving in Australia so Christmas does the heavy lifting. My family lives far away, my daughter and her family in London. The good news is that all my family will be here for Christmas including my 90 year old Dad. What more could I want from Santa?
It will never make up for the loss of general popping in and out if we lived close by but I appreciate every moment of us all being together no matter how frazzled it may get at times.
I honestly just want to chill but I know that won’t be the case.
I know the feeling. . .