The hardest time of year

savy yes this is awful for me too as I am stuck here in this retirement home because my son and I lost our apartment, we were evicted because we were behind on the rent as we ran out of money when my son was laid off. so I landed here and my son is in a gov. sponsored apt with three other guys all of whom are out ofwork.hes close enough he can come visit me often so that helps but I miss not having a home, an apartment doing my own work, cooking my own meals taking my own medications. oh I am 83 and so what. I am not senile or mentally deficient, I am here only because I had no place else to go.its been a year and my son is still out of work even though he keeps looking. damn he has years of experience as a computer programmer but they are laying off men instead of hiring. hope this coming year brings some good for a change. I try to be cheerful but sometimes all this ho ho stuff makes me want to cry instead of ho ho ing at all. I have been widowed for many years, and my son is myonly close family.

Hi savypat, My wife finds this time of year more difficult then I do, but after we'd put up our tree this year, I began to feel very lonely. You're right of course, we only have right now and should try to enjoy the season. Blessings.

I think my nice Memories help me From when I was a Child and from when my Children where little I do get Tears in my eyes on Christmas Eve but it is about the Memories that gets me through it and not be to down

I'm sorry you have a difficult time at this time of year. I have a problem this year with it, too. While I celebrate Christmas as Jesus' birthday, it's still sad for me not to have my two adult sons here. I remember all the past Christmas mornings and while I didn't have a happy marriage at least there were some happy times. This is the first time in 23 years that I'll be waking up to an empty house except for my two dogs. So I have a little problem this Christmas--no sons! But I'll see my cousin on Christmas Eve (weather willing) and my dad and stepmom on Christmas day. I'll have a piece of birthday cake in the evening and blow out the candle by myself. I shouldn't be so down, I've been amply blessed all year and should be happy.

It is hard for many people. Right now I have children that are young enough to have fun with it, so it is fun for me.

Life is combination of sorrow and happiness. Every year is part of our life.We feel for them who passed away.Once last day of ours will come. Somebody will morn for us.This is a rotation and this is life.

i think its all in the mind,i too like have certain memories which fall around this ttime of year but i forcefully refuse to think of them and try to think of the plleasant things of this season.

December is one of the most 'over used' period of the year. What with the festive season and the shopping sprees I am almost drained to my last penny. I am always fearful and confused comes December. It is not only on finance but also stepping into another year of uncertainity.

Hi there savypat, I've learned to celebrate the memories of times that I had with loved ones that have passed on. Those memories are precious. They really are. As for "bad" holidays...I can't say that I've really had a bad one. There have been some bad memories but they've always been overshadowed by the good. I remember when I was with my ex husband who was very abusive....seemed he always got worse on the holidays. I used to accuse him of ruining every single holiday for me. At the time it seemed that he did. Looking back, I also remember getting with the family and friends and for a while really having a great time and forgetting about that part of my life. They didn't realize it at the time but they got me thru some tough times and those are the memories that stand out for me.

I don't mind this time of year although I don't major on the family front! My family past away many years ago and so I tend to spend Christmas with a good friend. I think the thing that keeps me going and at least sane are the Christmas movies that tend to come on every year and a lot of them are repeats. It's nice to see everyone else celebrating with their families and so forth but it really does get you to think about things. I too have some happy memories of Christmas in the past and that is when I was a small child with my parents! I always hope that the new year will bring new blessings and I guess I look forward to that! Andrew

It can be a difficult time of year for many people especially those who have lost a loved one. For some it may be the first Christmas without their beloved and it can be painful because this is the time when it is all about family, closeness and giving. It is certainly a good intention to keep as joyful as possible and no harm in giving the ones you lost a thought and a prayer every once in a while. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!

For your same reasons Pat, I also find this lovely time of year bitter-sweet. I honor those who've passed on with a candle and prayer or putting silk poinsettias at their grave sites. Those who've held and grudge and do not show, I pray for. But I hold dear the spirituality of this season and celebrate it with music, warm lights, wreaths and giving, both to loved ones and to charity. I write, too, about both the sadness and the joy of the season. Karen

i know that we have the hardest time of year,including me i could not feel well,because of work's fault,i compensate the losses on august,next my computer was stolen on september,i feel that it is hardest time for me.although suffering,but we still face this suffering and still work and live,keeping me put into busy work and life and dont let me have free time to think about sad thing,sometimes i can control my mind and go out with my friends,happy communication can less suffering.

Hi, savypat. I am always excited about Christmas. But I know deep inside, I feel lonely when it is nearing it. Although I have moved on with the very tough events which had "harassed" our quiet life almost 6 years ago, I can't help but think of the happy moments when the family was still whole. My late husband left me with three children and I am grateful and just happy with how things are going for us. I wish he were here with us during this Season and he would have been happy seeing the two children who are now working as registered nurses. It is difficult during special dates for the family, like birthdays, graduations and especially the Christmas season. It was always a happy and merry Christmas for us until 6 years ago.

Hi Pat! This has also been a very tough and sad year for me too~ I have lost some very close and special people in my life and am having a hard time dealing with their loses, especially now during the holidays. One of my very close friends just passed away 3 weeks ago so this is still very fresh in my mind and his families. The good thing is that I have gotten much closer to his family and can share the loss with them as much as is possible. But, this year has been full of alot of negative things for me too and I am trying to deal with them the best that I can and pray that the New Year will bring about a whole lot of changes! Happy Holidays to you and yours! Hugs, Opal

Even though the Holidays are my favorite time of the year and I love to decorate, be festive and be with what family I have left, they are also very hard for me as well. I lost most of my family within this last decade. The hardest was loosing my Mother over the Holiday's. They have never been the same since that loss. However, I do try to stay upbeat and positive. I continue all of the traditions that were passed down by her, my father and grandparents every year. I decorate the entire house, which I enjoy doing and spend time with my loved ones, to include my Fiance, his son, my friends and my neices and nephews. I try to be involved as much as I can or I know I will just cry throughout the whole season. I have many fond memories of all of them at Christmas and like I said continue with the traditions that have been passed down to me.

This year too was hard for me but,now all I wish and pray for is that this coming year should be fruit on successful on my side and all those reading this message.I wish you a happy new year and Merry Christmas in advance