General Chat

Christmas and the time after it till mid February is always full of nostalgia and sad memories for me in lots of ways, so don't enjoy it really, but in the midst of it all, I have to help celebrate o.h.'s birthday, usually with a few days away, he likes to treat himself! Maybe one day I will have grandchildren and they will be my reason for enjoying the time again. Hugs for all those missing loved ones. Liz

I am not a great christmas fan, but this year is going to be awful, my MIL died just before last christmas and my darling dad died suddenly in April, so its a really sad time and today for some reason I was really sad I just want to see my dad again. Sue

Hi diana,and everyone else here. I to, dread christmas,it's soppose to be a very happy time,but for most people it's a very sad time,i also dread janruary,so glad when them 2 months are gon. tc gwyn xx

Diana I feel for you.... it is also my first without my darling Dad......... So I guess I've sot of cancelled it. <<<<<Hugs>>>>>> to all who willl be missing loved ones Jacqui

Yes Diana I am dreading it too, my first Christmas without my dear dad as well. (((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))) for you & all the peeps facing Christmas without a loved one................ xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sending loving thoughts and prayers to you Diana and to all who are facing Christmas without a loved one. It is a very emotional time. Beryl x

Hi Diana,That first Christmas is always the worst one, I remember it well. ((hugs)) Roxanne xx

Diana It is an emotional time every year, be it happiness for the children (and remembering our own) or sadness for Family and friends no longer with us. I sadly have lost both my Parents and MiL died on Boxing Day a few years back, I lost my Brother in September too. Christmas comes and goes and there isn't the excitement we once had ,but, as others have said, as long as we have loving folk around us,be they family or friends,we try and enjoy the day. Hoping you can be merry at Christmas Diana ( in whatever way you choose!!) Mau XX

Not particularly looking forward to it ...... one of the reasons being that we lost a beloved Aunt last Boxing Day. OK, we didn't spend Christmases with them, but she always made a point of keeping in touch, and me with her. x

Hugs to you Diana, and to anyone else spending the first Christmas without a much-loved relative. I'm a real Christmas person, love every single bit of it normally, but this year it's just too close to losing Mum and without wishing to sound like a moaner, I can't wait for it all to be over. Dad and I are trying to arrange things slightly differently, but the plain fact is that Mum won't be here and we will miss her dreadfully. Mandy x PS: Lots of people have told me the same thing that Jess has posted - that it gets a bit easier to bear after the 'first' of everything. I'm really hoping so!

For a 'season of goodwill' Christmas certainly doesn't come without it's problems!! I think that grief is always exacerbated and that, coupled with some people's thoughtlessness can lead to unhappy time for some. I agree that Christmas planning does seem to be a girly domain on the whole and many men just do not think. I honestly think that you can have just as much fun, if not more spending Christmas with friends - How many people 'do their duty' and spend it with family when they would far rather be with their friends? I think that at this time of year we should always think of people that we know who may be alone and in the true spirit of the season open up our homes.

Thanks Anne Thinking of you too, big hugs for you and your SIL and family. Am already in tears reading this thread. Hugs to all of you, that will have a difficult xmas for one reason or another, may love light and laughter be with you all janey xx

Never seem to enjoy christmas as much I would like to - more times than I can remember I have ended up being dumped not long before lol This year is gonna be hard with the recent news of my SIL's bone cancer - no idea how many she will get after this one, but we will try our best to make it a cheerful occasion. Diana - as long as you are with someone who loves you, you will get thru it hun ......... Special ((((HUGS)))) to you and to Janey for this one xxx

Oh My This really makes my eyes fill up. Bless all of you who have lost loved ones especially near the Christmas time when we have younguns who dont have any memories and are looking forward with innocent eyes at the Xmas fantasy. Shirley

Diana this one will be the hardest for you things will get better believe me I lost my other half on christmas eve 93 and after a few near misses my self I am glad to be able to say have a good one everyone Hugs and XXX alround xxxxHowie

My Dad died on Christmas day 2001. I do miss him being around at Christmas and it was a sad day to die. But he was 93 and had lived a full life, had lost my Mum in 1994 after 60 years married and was ready to join her so we couldn't feel sad. We always say he chose Christmas day because we would be sure to remember!! We lift a glass to him at 5.30pm, the time he died. But we have young ones in the family and Christmas is their time and life goes on, so we will still enjoy ourselves. My thoughts are with all those facing the first christmas witthout a loved one. Ann Glo

Thinking of you, Diana, and all those for whom Christmas will be difficult. Mine will certainly be different this year. I had hesitated over the thought of putting up decorations or having a tree, but decided to buy an optic fibre tree and that will spread a glow around the room, it will be something to focus upon.

Me too Jean xx

I don't like Christmas since my children have grown up and flown the coop although I will be spending it with my oldest daughter and 7 year old grandson which will be lovely. This thread has made me cry and I really feel for all of you who have lost loved ones around the Christmas period. The one wish I have for all of you is for you to remember your loved ones with joy. Jean x.

I like xmas for my childrens sake but new year for me is the hardest. I miss my mum amd dad dreadfully and could really give it a miss.