meandmy mom already put up our christmas dectrions before thanskgiving we brought new smaller tree we just moved into my grandpapa place he passedaway 3 years ago. my brother and his wife moved into our old house but any way wegot newer tree its lot smalle then our old tree we gave we gavethem our old tree. i also looking forward to christmas mostly getting moives andt-shirt im getting wolvrien the agvners and storage wars t-shirt macygver tv moives and numbers the third seoson mymom got me the amazing spider-man moivei might getpowerranger super samurie and the new batman moive i like toget the amazing spider-man game for ps3 i wish you guys happy hoiays my anut usual gaveme 100 dolloars every christmas

My tree and decorations are up and I'm ready. Even got my Christmas shopping done! Merry Christmas!:santa:

I have my decorations almost up, but I dunno about the rest. My sister doesn't have the time because she's having another daughter by that time, my parents don't have the money...I'm afraid they'll lose the house (I'm afraid we lost our grandfathers house), and I had a bad year (It wasn't the worst year ever...2010 still is). So the only person that'll get gifts is my brother since he'll be getting me something and I'll only dress-up if there's a White Christmas (Snow, that is).

I'm looking forward to December 26th.

My tree and decorations are up and I'm ready. Even got my Christmas shopping done! Merry Christmas!:santa:

Mine Too! :D

Not really, still haven't put my decorations up, not exchanging gifts so not doing any shopping, and the bf won't be able to get home from being on the road until after Christmas, plus my sis has work, so it's pretty much going to suck. But at least I have my health.;)

I've got my home all decorated and my shopping done. Still have to wrap them! And I have gone through all of my dvd's and sorted out all of the Christmas episodes. I have a huge stack of them to watch! Here are some of them;

MTM
Bob Newhart Show
Newhart
Family Ties
Growing Pains
Full House
Facts Of Life
Happy Days
Roseanne
Mama's Family
Here Come The Brides
The Waltons
Little House On The Prairie
Family
Kate& Allie
The Partridge Family
Murphy Brown
A ton of others!
I have on video tape Nick At Nite Christmas episodes(Bewitched, Andy Griffith, etc.) and Also I taped some from The HUB(Wonder Years,
WKRP, etc.)

I will start on them tonight.:santa:

I always look forward to Christmas. Christmas is my all time favorite holiday.

Of course!

My tree and decorations are up and I'm ready. Even got my Christmas shopping done! Merry Christmas!:santa:

Same here!:D

Yes, we don't start decorating until the last weekend of November. The wife and I like to put in some Christmas movies and decorate.

Just the true, basic meaning behind it--all the rest of it stresses me out and I can't wait until it's over.

My fiance and I decorated before thanksgiving and He already has my present I'm still working on his so they match in price and I have ideas for everyone else. I think we are traveling to the city this weekend to finish up. I love this time of year the lights are beautiful and the Christmas spirit is miraculous. By FAR my favorite time of year

Not really.

I have mixed emotions on it. I did decorate, but it all feels so strange this year. :tree:

I tolerate Christmas anymore. I don't mean to be a Scrooge, because I know that Christmas can be beautiful, inspiring, heartwarming and the meaning of the holiday is life affirming and nurturing.

But for those of us without much family, it tends to just bring back memories of what used to be and can't be anymore. My girlfriend loves Christmas and for her I can generate some enthusiasm for the holiday, but I miss my folks and brother, and really, being a kid.

I like seeing all the Trees decked out in lights. It reminds me of Autumn on my Home Planet! :lol:

I tolerate Christmas anymore. I don't mean to be a Scrooge, because I know that Christmas can be beautiful, inspiring, heartwarming and the meaning of the holiday is life affirming and nurturing.

But for those of us without much family, it tends to just bring back memories of what used to be and can't be anymore. My girlfriend loves Christmas and for her I can generate some enthusiasm for the holiday, but I miss my folks and brother, and really, being a kid.

I know what you mean,but it's one time of year you could make a bit of an effort in front of family and friends. Children are sensitive to atmosphere and should be put first. It can be a bit of an ordeal and many people are looking back on happier times but it's one time of year where we should think "Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men".

I know what you mean,but it's one time of year you could make a bit of an effort in front of family and friends. Children are sensitive to atmosphere and should be put first. It can be a bit of an ordeal and many people are looking back on happier times but it's one time of year where we should think "Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men".

Understood but this assumes you have children to be around on Christmas, which not everyone has.

This will be my first Christmas without CUddles. :( I'm glad I have Romeo. :)

I have mixed emotions on it. I did decorate, but it all feels so strange this year. :tree:

I know it must be particularily hard right now, not having Lou at home. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you will have home for CHristmas.

Here is it Christmas time and I dread hauling out the xmas decorations. Don't have any family, just a brother and no one visits like they used to.
I have the feeling of why bother with it all. For Christmas gifts, I
do need a few practical gifts, lamps, nightgowns, things that wear out over time. But other than that, the exitement is Gone.

Here is it Christmas time and I dread hauling out the xmas decorations. Don't have any family, just a brother and no one visits like they used to.
I have the feeling of why bother with it all. For Christmas gifts, I
do need a few practical gifts, lamps, nightgowns, things that wear out over time. But other than that, the exitement is Gone.

Then gear it more towards yourself. All you need is one tree standing in a corner and some food to tide you over until the stores re-open.Go to Church if you're lonely. I'm in a similar position but the lack of commercialism is an opportunity for Christmas to regain its true meaning.

Yeah I am little lonely but churches in my area are have parishers over the age of 70. Plus haven't churches lost their steam. I have a tv set, computer, books, and good health, so I am content there.

Yeah I am little lonely but churches in my area are have parishers over the age of 70. Plus haven't churches lost their steam. I have a tv set, computer, books, and good health, so I am content there.

All well and good,but don't knock the aged;they have a lifetime of experience to draw upon.

not realiy as it's just a reminder that another year has passed and I STILL can't find a GF:( :( :(

I'm looking forward to AFTER Christmas -- I'm heading for NYC then :D

I'm looking forward to AFTER Christmas -- I'm heading for NYC then :D

I would like to travel to maybe Washington DC with in say 6 weeks. How are the prices at this time of year? I went to New York in June one year and the dinkiest room close by was $300.00 a night. I need some change from my routine.

I tolerate Christmas anymore. I don't mean to be a Scrooge, because I know that Christmas can be beautiful, inspiring, heartwarming and the meaning of the holiday is life affirming and nurturing.

But for those of us without much family, it tends to just bring back memories of what used to be and can't be anymore. My girlfriend loves Christmas and for her I can generate some enthusiasm for the holiday, but I miss my folks and brother, and really, being a kid.
That's pretty much how I feel. Christmas used to be a special time but not anymore. I put on a happy face for everybody but I just can't get into the spirit. I like Thanksgiving better because at least I have football to watch.

Who needs President Obama talking about Scrooge with some of the above posts? Buy a favourite DVD or watch Agatha Christie's "Hercule Poirot's Christmas",or go to Church,or just be thankful if you don't have to work like the emergency services and you can take the chance to put your feet up.

Who needs President Obama talking about Scrooge with some of the above posts? Buy a favourite DVD or watch Agatha Christie's "Hercule Poirot's Christmas",or go to Church,or just be thankful if you don't have to work like the emergency services and you can take the chance to put your feet up. Save it. People here have every right to express the way they feel around the holidays without you and your guilt trip posts. We're all friends here, and we speak freely. My entire family is gone, three of them in the last decade. My parents died two months apart in 2002, and my sister died suddenly the following year. I had already lost another sister in 1991. These were young beautiful woman, and I miss them more this time of year. My husband has been in the hospital for two months now because he suddenly lost the use of his legs. I live with severe chronic pain every day of my life. If I want to engage in a little self-pity, you bet your ass I'll do it, so back off.

Besides, how do you know how people are actually acting in their offline lives? We may discuss our sadness here, but put on a happy face when we're around others. I know that's what I do. It's not as if we're going to holiday gatherings and crying in a corner. I go through the motions well. I decorated weeks ago, and my shopping is done. I act normal and don't discuss my sorrows.

We're not stupid. Everyone knows that there's always others who have it worse than we do; there's someone who just lost their entire family in a fire. With that said, our pain is our pain. Someone missing their mother this year feels losing their family in a fire to them. Obviously this thread bothers you. I suggest you move along. Spare the lectures. We commiserate every year around the holidays. That's how it's goes around here.

good post , Janice.!!

When I sometimes post, I am asking for advice. Someone mentioned Church. I tried the churches near by but I may have to go to the next town over,

Save it. People here have every right to express the way they feel around the holidays without you and your guilt trip posts. We're all friends here, and we speak freely. My entire family is gone, three of them in the last decade. My parents died two months apart in 2002, and my sister died suddenly the following year. I had already lost another sister in 1991. These were young beautiful woman, and I miss them more this time of year. My husband has been in the hospital for two months now because he suddenly lost the use of his legs. I live with severe chronic pain every day of my life. If I want to engage in a little self-pity, you bet your ass I'll do it, so back off.

Besides, how do you know how people are actually acting in their offline lives? We may discuss our sadness here, but put on a happy face when we're around others. I know that's what I do. It's not as if we're going to holiday gatherings and crying in a corner. I go through the motions well. I decorated weeks ago, and my shopping is done. I act normal and don't discuss my sorrows.

We're not stupid. Everyone knows that there's always others who have it worse than we do; there's someone who just lost their entire family in a fire. With that said, our pain is our pain. Someone missing their mother this year feels losing their family in a fire to them. Obviously this thread bothers you. I suggest you move along. Spare the lectures. We commiserate every year around the holidays. That's how it's goes around here.
Thanks Janice. :) We all are friends here and should be able to talk freely. I don't sulk or bring anybody down at Holiday gatherings. I put on a happy face. Maybe I'm extra sad this year because this is the 10th anniversary of my Mom's death. Holidays are always tough. Plus her birthday is about a week before Christmas. I am so sorry about what has happened to your family. I just can't imagine going through all that so if you want to express your feelings you should be able to do that without anyone complaining. The question of the thread was is anyone looking forward to Christmas?. We're just being honest.

Thanks Janice. :) We all are friends here and should be able to talk freely. I don't sulk or bring anybody down at Holiday gatherings. I put on a happy face. Maybe I'm extra sad this year because this is the 10th anniversary of my Mom's death. Holidays are always tough. Plus her birthday is about a week before Christmas. I am so sorry about what has happened to your family. I just can't imagine going through all that so if you want to express your feelings you should be able to do that without anyone complaining. The question of the thread was is anyone looking forward to Christmas?. We're just being honest. Thanks Sonny. It is extra hard this year. You and I lost our mothers the same year. Anniversaries and birthdays are always difficult. My mothers birthday is December 10th, while my sister's is the 8th. Seems like yesterday that they were all here, walking through the door with gifts, passing the salt, playing Trivial Pursuit until midnight on Christmas day.
When I sometimes post, I am asking for advice. Someone mentioned Church. I tried the churches near by but I may have to go to the next town over, I know that you weren't "knocking the aged". Just stating an obvious fact that you're not interested in dating the elderly. Not a thing wrong with that.

Save it. People here have every right to express the way they feel around the holidays without you and your guilt trip posts. We're all friends here, and we speak freely. My entire family is gone, three of them in the last decade. My parents died two months apart in 2002, and my sister died suddenly the following year. I had already lost another sister in 1991. These were young beautiful woman, and I miss them more this time of year. My husband has been in the hospital for two months now because he suddenly lost the use of his legs. I live with severe chronic pain every day of my life. If I want to engage in a little self-pity, you bet your ass I'll do it, so back off.

Besides, how do you know how people are actually acting in their offline lives? We may discuss our sadness here, but put on a happy face when we're around others. I know that's what I do. It's not as if we're going to holiday gatherings and crying in a corner. I go through the motions well. I decorated weeks ago, and my shopping is done. I act normal and don't discuss my sorrows.

We're not stupid. Everyone knows that there's always others who have it worse than we do; there's someone who just lost their entire family in a fire. With that said, our pain is our pain. Someone missing their mother this year feels losing their family in a fire to them. Obviously this thread bothers you. I suggest you move along. Spare the lectures. We commiserate every year around the holidays. That's how it's goes around here.

This thread does not bother me because Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a baby,which is within the understanding of us all. It can be one way we come to terms with our own mortality that life renews afresh.

Nobody should have to suffer chronic pain and you need to revisit your doctor.For someone who doesn't discuss their illness(and I don't mind one way or the other whether you do so or not) you're doing a pretty good job in indulging in self-pity.

I know what you mean Janice, since my sister passed away this year, it's a lot harder to get into the Christmas spirit. I'd just as soon skip the whole season. I went to two Christmas parades over the weekend to help get me in a cheerful mood. It helped a little bit.

This thread does not bother me because Christmas is about celebrating the birth of a baby,which is within the understanding of us all. It can be one way we come to terms with our own mortality that life renews afresh.

Nobody should have to suffer chronic pain and you need to revisit your doctor.For someone who doesn't discuss their illness(and I don't mind one way or the other whether you do so or not) you're doing a pretty good job in indulging in self-pity.


The Christmas season is hard for some people to deal with and sometimes it helps to talk about it with others.

For someone who doesn't discuss their illness(and I don't mind one way or the other whether you do so or not) you're doing a pretty good job in indulging in self-pity. Exactly what I stated in my post, genius.

"If I want to engage in a little self-pity, you bet your ass I'll do it, so back off."

I stated that I don't discuss my illness around others, during the holidays at gatherings. If you're going to critique posts, you'd better brush up on your reading comprehension. Talk about getting things ass backwards. :rolleyes:

I know what you mean Janice, since my sister passed away this year, it's a lot harder to get into the Christmas spirit. I'd just as soon skip the whole season. I went to two Christmas parades over the weekend to help get me in a cheerful mood. It helped a little bit.
I'm so sorry about your sister Ann. The "firsts" are always difficult. I wouldn't mind waking up on January 2nd myself, but you know what it's like when people are counting on you. I wish you and your family the best during this most difficult season. God bless.

I just hope that Christmas doesn't turn into the disaster it was last year. :(

My girlfriend and I set a budget for each family member we buy gifts for. There is only 1 child involved and that's our niece who just turned 2. Last year we went and purchased several things for her at different stores and we wrapped them and put them in the closet. We were really looking forward to watching her open the gifts and not just those that we got her but all that was ruined on Christmas eve. My brother who lives about 50 miles from us had a small party and we were invited. While we were gone, our niece and her mother came to visit. My girlfriend's mother wasn't feeling well and decided to take a nap leaving my niece and her mom alone. While she was asleep, the mother snooped and found all the presents that we got her along with those from the child's father and grandmother. She then got all of them and while nobody else was around, let our niece open every single one of them. This was her first Christmas and she hogged every moment for herself. If she had let her open the gifts she bought it would've been fine but she didn't. She saved those for Christmas day so she could do it all over again with nobody else around. A few days later we went and bought her some more gifts and gave them to her the first chance we got when her mother wasn't looking. While she was opening the last one, she came in the room and had a horrified look on her face and asked why we let her open the presents without her being there. I just said if you can't figure out the answer for yourself then I'm not going to tell you. :rolleyes:

Save it. People here have every right to express the way they feel around the holidays without you and your guilt trip posts. We're all friends here, and we speak freely. My entire family is gone, three of them in the last decade. My parents died two months apart in 2002, and my sister died suddenly the following year. I had already lost another sister in 1991. These were young beautiful woman, and I miss them more this time of year. My husband has been in the hospital for two months now because he suddenly lost the use of his legs. I live with severe chronic pain every day of my life. If I want to engage in a little self-pity, you bet your ass I'll do it, so back off.

Besides, how do you know how people are actually acting in their offline lives? We may discuss our sadness here, but put on a happy face when we're around others. I know that's what I do. It's not as if we're going to holiday gatherings and crying in a corner. I go through the motions well. I decorated weeks ago, and my shopping is done. I act normal and don't discuss my sorrows.

We're not stupid. Everyone knows that there's always others who have it worse than we do; there's someone who just lost their entire family in a fire. With that said, our pain is our pain. Someone missing their mother this year feels losing their family in a fire to them. Obviously this thread bothers you. I suggest you move along. Spare the lectures. We commiserate every year around the holidays. That's how it's goes around here.

Exactly. We can express ourselves and we have the right to. It's easy for people who don't know or don't care to say "put up your feet". Everyone has different situations and have lost a lot. I agree with Janice. Losing a family member is hard no matter how it happens. It's esp. heartbreaking that Janice had to lose her parents and sisters. It's not fair. She's such a nice person. It's not fair that her husband Lou is in the hospital and that she has to battle chronic pain every single day.

I can't imagine losing my whole family. There aren't many of us, but it would be very sad. My brother battled cancer this past year.

Who needs President Obama talking about Scrooge with some of the above posts? Buy a favourite DVD or watch Agatha Christie's "Hercule Poirot's Christmas",or go to Church,or just be thankful if you don't have to work like the emergency services and you can take the chance to put your feet up.

You make it seem as though everyone can simply put their feet up on a coffee table and everything is "peachy". Some people can't work. Other people have sufferred terrible losses that you can't begin to imagine. Try putting yourself in their shoes and perhaps you might be able to understand just a little of what they have to endure. Show some compassion. Your life might be esasy and wonderful, but don't assume everyone else's is. People are entitled to their feelings and if they are sad around the holidays - they have the right to be.

Exactly. We can express ourselves and we have the right to. It's easy for people who don't know or don't care to say "put up your feet". Everyone has different situations and have lost a lot. I agree with Janice. Losing a family member is hard no matter how it happens. It's esp. heartbreaking that Janice had to lose her parents and sisters. It's not fair. She's such a nice person. It's not fair that her husband Lou is in the hospital and that she has to battle chronic pain every single day.

I can't imagine losing my whole family. There aren't many of us, but it would be very sad. My brother battled cancer this past year.



You make it seem as though everyone can simply put their feet up on a coffee table and everything is "peachy". Some people can't work. Other people have sufferred terrible losses that you can't begin to imagine. Try putting yourself in their shoes and perhaps you might be able to understand just a little of what they have to endure. Show some compassion. Your life might be esasy and wonderful, but don't assume everyone else's is. People are entitled to their feelings and if they are sad around the holidays - they have the right to be.

I wasn’t going to continue responding to some of these self-centred maudlin posts but you’ve goaded me into it again I’m afraid. Several of you must be hungover from Thanksgiving or simply haven’t read what I wrote so bitterly traduced have I been. Of course I have sympathy for those grieving for loved ones,or sick or disabled people who may have a terminal illness,but Christmas is a time of celebration for Christians,as we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus,an event which is within the understanding of us all. Should you yourself wish to wallow in self-pity,well I can’t stop you,but you’re on a downward spiral should you do so. Why not make a difference in someone else’s life less fortunate than yourself or attend Church(if you can bear to tolerate the older people in the congregation),or if you can’t be pleasant you may as well be Scrooge looking back to the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Ok in that case, I am the most happiest person on earth. Everything is wonderful and life is so rosy.

just rember jesues is the reason for christmas. i feel lsorry for my grandpapa my grandmaa passed away he hand't beeen the same. i feel sorryfor him. i wish every one happy hoilday.

I wasn’t going to continue responding to some of these self-centred maudlin posts but you’ve goaded me into it again I’m afraid. Several of you must be hungover from Thanksgiving or simply haven’t read what I wrote so bitterly traduced have I been. Of course I have sympathy for those grieving for loved ones,or sick or disabled people who may have a terminal illness,but Christmas is a time of celebration for Christians,as we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus,an event which is within the understanding of us all. Should you yourself wish to wallow in self-pity,well I can’t stop you,but you’re on a downward spiral should you do so. Why not make a difference in someone else’s life less fortunate than yourself or attend Church(if you can bear to tolerate the older people in the congregation),or if you can’t be pleasant you may as well be Scrooge looking back to the Ghost of Christmas Past.
This is how we do it here. Don't like it, too bad about you, but knock off the insults. Your posts are not welcome in this thread.

Steve_UK is a very hateful intolerant person. He will never apologize for his mistakes here.

Steve_UK is a very hateful intolerant person. He will never apologize for his mistakes here.
I apologize unreservedly for any offence I have caused,but Christmas is about celebrating Jesus's birth as someone has just reiterated and is not about the me culture and the occasion to whine about how hard done by any individual happens to feel at this time of year.

I am looking forward to Christmas, but I'm a little anxious about it since it's the first one since my mom died. We will be sad remember mom, but at the same time we will be cheery because that's what my parents would want us to do. They are in a happier place now and they would want us to be happy too, or at least try to. And it is Jesus' birthday, we must not forget him. I'm going to try to put up the Christmas tree this weekend with my brother's help and maybe one of my sisters. :)

I apologize unreservedly for any offence I have caused,but Christmas is about celebrating Jesus's birth as someone has just reiterated and is not about the me culture and the occasion to whine about how hard done by any individual happens to feel at this time of year.

I'm on your side Steve. We need to keep Christ in CHRISTmas!

Of course Christmas is about Jesus. Nobody here said it wasn't. It doesn't mean that people don't get down for the holidays especially when they have lost somebody and I resent people telling me how I should feel.

I am looking forward to Christmas, but I'm a little anxious about it since it's the first one since my mom died. We will be sad remember mom, but at the same time we will be cheery because that's what my parents would want us to do. They are in a happier place now and they would want us to be happy too, or at least try to. And it is Jesus' birthday, we must not forget him. I'm going to try to put up the Christmas tree this weekend with my brother's help and maybe one of my sisters. :)

Finally a well-balanced post,which allows someone time and space to grieve without the inherent self-destruction excessive mawkishness and morbidity may bring in its wake.

Finally a well-balanced post,which allows someone time and space to grieve without the inherent self-destruction excessive mawkishness and morbidity may bring in its wake.
One more crack, one more insult from you about people expressing their feelings, will result in your suspension. You're not to post in this thread anymore. I don't bluff, so choose your next move wisely.

One more crack, one more insult from you about people expressing their feelings, will result in your suspension. You're not to post in this thread anymore. I don't bluff, so choose your next move wisely.

Go ahead and make my day. This is the West where we value freedom of expression,not Beijing.I know depression is hard to conquer but you need help my dear,not taking over a spiritual occasion like Christmas for your own purposes. If you're not above seeing this then I no longer wish to be a member of this site and I wish you all who feel similarly well.

Go ahead and make my day. This is the West where we value freedom of expression,not Beijing.I know depression is hard to conquer but you need help my dear,not taking over a spiritual occasion like Christmas for your own purposes. If you're not above seeing this then I no longer wish to be a member of this site and I wish you all who feel similarly well.

Jerk.

For some reason, steve seems to be equating feeling low at Christmas or having conflicting feelings about it with 'bringing everyone down' or 'being morbid'.

My guess is that he's either A) very young, B) never had any real losses in his life or C) both.

And his irritating habit of judging those who are not any of the above is at best insensitive, and at worst, insulting.

This thread is about how everyone might feel about Christmas. It's not about "how we SHOULD feel at Christmas". The knee jerk assumption that one can just "will" yourself out of missing your loved ones by watching a movie or going to church or volunteering at a soup kitchen is incredibly naive and presumptuous. My guess is that many of us do ALL of those things and yet still are conflicted. That's not morbidity, steve_uk, that's human nature and if you cannot appreciate that, I feel for you. Life isn't as simple as you seem to feel it is, my friend. I wish that you would never discover how some of us feel, but I'm sure you will and my guess is that you won't be able to spontaneously hurdle those feelings, just as we are not.

My advice is to just read the posts and absorb the thoughts and emotions without feeling the need to 'fix' people's emotions. You can't fix them, and they don't want to be fixed. They want their families with them, and it can't happen and what they have to do is carry on, part of which is sharing their feelings with others.

Merry Christmas.

Go ahead and make my day. This is the West where we value freedom of expression,not Beijing.I know depression is hard to conquer but you need help my dear,not taking over a spiritual occasion like Christmas for your own purposes. If you're not above seeing this then I no longer wish to be a member of this site and I wish you all who feel similarly well.

How dare you tell her she needs help. If anyone needs help it's you. You came into this thread and ruined it. You're not the Christmas police and you have no right to tell any of us how we should feel around the holidays. You speak of freedrom yet, you shove your unwelcome comments down our throats.

For some reason, steve seems to be equating feeling low at Christmas or having conflicting feelings about it with 'bringing everyone down' or 'being morbid'.

My guess is that he's either A) very young, B) never had any real losses in his life or C) both.

And his irritating habit of judging those who are not any of the above is at best insensitive, and at worst, insulting.

This thread is about how everyone might feel about Christmas. It's not about "how we SHOULD feel at Christmas". The knee jerk assumption that one can just "will" yourself out of missing your loved ones by watching a movie or going to church or volunteering at a soup kitchen is incredibly naive and presumptuous. My guess is that many of us do ALL of those things and yet still are conflicted. That's not morbidity, steve_uk, that's human nature and if you cannot appreciate that, I feel for you. Life isn't as simple as you seem to feel it is, my friend. I wish that you would never discover how some of us feel, but I'm sure you will and my guess is that you won't be able to spontaneously hurdle those feelings, just as we are not.

My advice is to just read the posts and absorb the thoughts and emotions without feeling the need to 'fix' people's emotions. You can't fix them, and they don't want to be fixed. They want their families with them, and it can't happen and what they have to do is carry on, part of which is sharing their feelings with others.

Merry Christmas.

Let me tell you all: I lost a close relative in the run-up to Christmas 20 years ago and I was devastated. I found myself going through the motions of life during those bleak Winter months,but I had a job to hold down and young children to bring up and if I went down then I was taking other people down with me.

If you can get to Church I advise you to do so. I am not casting aspersions and everyone reacts to their own life in their own way,but why is it at Christmas(Easter is by necessity a more solemn Christian occasion)that some people feel justified in hijacking a joyous Christian occasion for their own purposes,when if they can make a difference however slight to other people's lives who are less fortunate than themselves they should do so.

How dare you tell her she needs help. If anyone needs help it's you. You came into this thread and ruined it. You're not the Christmas police and you have no right to tell any of us how we should feel around the holidays. You speak of freedrom yet, you shove your unwelcome comments down our throats.

I've told you already:I won't be a member of this site being told where and when I may post. Either we have freedom of expression the result of which you may not like or we have censorship like Beijing,and I'm not prepared to be a member of any site under those arbitrary conditions.

You're the one who's acting like you live in Bejing, not us.

I've told you already:I won't be a member of this site being told where and when I may post. Either we have freedom of expression the result of which you may not like or we have censorship like Beijing,and I'm not prepared to be a member of any site under those arbitrary conditions.
Well then bye. :wave: Every message board has rules and one of the rules around here is not to attack other members. Nobody was being mean to you. This thread asked how we feel. We all shared our feelings. We didn't need to be told to get over it and quit being a scrooge. You didn't just say it once but you continued on all through this thread. You hijacked it. Even when you apologized it was a half hearted one.

I've told you already:I won't be a member of this site being told where and when I may post. Either we have freedom of expression the result of which you may not like or we have censorship like Beijing,and I'm not prepared to be a member of any site under those arbitrary conditions.
Freedom of expression. What a joke. That's what members were doing, expressing their feelings. You're the one who was telling everyone to put a lid on it. You broke more rules than I can think of, so you're suspended. I hope you don't return, and if you do, I know you won't last.

I'm very much looking forward to it! :)

Three Words,

BRING IT ON!!!

Christmas can be a mixed bag. When you've had a loss, or are dealing with a lot of stress, like the illness of a loved one, it is anything but happy. And all the exhortation to engage in "holiday cheer" is like having salt rubbed in a wound. And me personally can live without all the crass commercialism. Each year the music and decos start earlier and earlier. I won't be surprised it starts right after the 4th of July next year. geez.

Probably spending Christmas alone since my mom is in love and with be with her new boyfriend:(


But...............There are 5 NBA games on Christmas Day so I think I will be Ok:wave: