Christmas & priorities

self | 12/24/2017 | self

[logi_cal869]

I found out this afternoon that the son of a business friend was killed in a car wreck which travelling to see family for the holidays.

Safe holiday travels for FReepers and their family & friends.

Just one more reason for me to have a different view of the holidays than most, ironically-reinforcing a ritual spanning over 2 decades due to tragedy closer to home long ago.

[LoveUSA]

I’m sorry to know you’re hurting. This Christmas is melancholy for me as well.

[exDemMom]

It’s not been a good holiday for us this year at all. We found out our cat has incurable cancer just before Thanksgiving, and we lost her to it tonight.

Tragedy can happen at any time, but it is especially difficult when it happens at a holiday time. I don’t know how your friend is going to cope at Christmas from now on. I’ve known people who do all they can to avoid the holiday when it reminds them of a tragedy.

[pax_et_bonum]

So terribly sad.

Going now to pray for this family.

[Rusty0604]

So sorry for the loss of your cat. My nephew died the day after Thanksgiving one year, and my sister could never celebrate it again. Unfortunately it seems tragedy strikes a lot during holidays.

[logi_cal869]

Thanks. It’s rather different this year. Since regaining my health, depression is no longer the norm it was for 20 years. I can’t imagine the conditions under which those who have such a hard time with depression that they become dependent upon pharmaceuticals.

I got lucky and my system is in new balance.

I AM lucky that my friends and family are well. I don’t know what the coming year will bring, but I have a new lease on life and sense change is around the corner.

In my case, I wish desperately that I could have helped a friend who was not able to cope with his depression at the time. One of those “if I knew then what I know now” cliche’s.

Again...priorities.

[Twink]

Remember, Christmas isn’t about us and our issues but, the joyful celebration of the Birth of Christ. It helps that families celebrate together but never forget the reason for the celebration. We all have sadness, especially this time of year. We move past it as best we can.

[logi_cal869]

So sorry for your family’s loss. Our old Shepherd amazingly made it through year 15, but I dwell heavily on the likelihood that this Christmas will be her last.

I did the same for 20+ years (avoiding the holiday in my own way), but have trouble now adjusting back into it...

[skr]

Well said.

For those who are having a difficult time this Christmas season, may God bring you comfort and the knowledge that His Gift to us is eternal and a reason to celebrate whether with or without loved ones (for now). He made it possible for us to be with our friends and family with Him forever!

[cherry]

my mother found her own father at the kitchen table where he had shot himself...he was always threatening suicide, he was a drinker, and he finally did it...

we didn't know this until we were all adults, and it made sense of the way my mom was at Christmas......

my mom would start out Christmas but then become very testy, threatening to "cancel" Christmas.....usually she would pull together about 2 days before...

[cherry]

should have added that she found him on Christmas Eve....

[exDemMom]

Ah, cherry, that is a terrible burden your mother had to bear.

[exDemMom]

Pets become so much part of the family. For all the joy they bring you, their lives just end too soon. I hope you enjoy every minute that you have with your Shepherd.

[AppyPappy]

We lost a friend on Dec 22. Heart attack. Love ‘em while you got ‘em, folks.

[AppyPappy]

And if any of you ever say “I can’t celebrate Christmas because AppyPappy is gone”, I’ll haunt your toilet. Be thankful and love the ones you have with you.

[Excellence]

Our 17 1/2 old kitty was put down on the 1st. I had my arms around him to the end. I still watch my feet around the house so as not to step on the cat. Your kitty was loved and that’s all that matters.

[animal172]

Lost my father at the age of 53 right before Christmas of 1975. Hasn’t been the same since. Let us remember the true meaning of Christmas and know that our loved ones, both two legged and four legged, are joyous in their Heavenly home sitting with our Lord and Savior.