Christmas blues

Christmas is not my favorite holiday. It seems something always ruins this time of year for me and 2007 is no exception. Last year, I had emergency surgery and was flown back to Iraq on Christmas eve.

This year, my house had a broken pipe and the repair took all my cash reserve. There won't be a Christmas for me this year again. I realize I have much to be thankful for and I am. However, I'll be alone....The last Christmas I celebrated was in 1998!

I wouldn't share this normally. However, any ideas where I might go and what I might do? There is a nursing home near by. I might go visit someone there.

All my children are out of State with the exception of one daughter. She is in her last year of College, works, and will spend Christmas with her husband's family.

It a full blown case of empty nest syndrome as well as missing my parents who are now dead. I also terribly miss my YM who remains in Iraq.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and for allowing me to "whine".

*H*

the nursing home is a great idea...

is there a church activity to get involved in?

here, for the state, there is a huge xmas party for under privlidge kids...which is staffed (on xmas day) by volunteers

hospital?

Or volunteer at a women's or homeless shelter. Kind of puts thing in perspective....?

I'm surprised your daughter who is in town didn't ask her in-laws if she could invite you. I know we have invited my sister-in-law's mom (who is a widow) to come by my parent's house for a holiday, when she didn't would've been stuck at home. We've had all sorts of friend and other non-family come to our place - if you were in Milwaukee I'd invite you here!

(((Peggy)))

Hugs Peggy....I know, this season always seems to magnify situations, doesn't it!
Hey, did you ever get my pm about the birds?
Blessings, TD

I always like to look in the Sunday papers a few weeks ahead of time to see where people might be needed. We have a food bank here, serving Christmas dinner, as well as Salvation Army always needs people around the Holidays. I am not big on celebrating Christmas due to the commercialism, mainly send out nice cards, or a few inexpensive gifts for people at work or friends nearby, etc. I usually go to visit friends near Dallas which is always nice. And will bring a good bottle of wine and a nice plant. I think it is okay to "whine" if you are alone on the Holidays!:yes::)

Some of the best Christmases I have had were the ones when I volunteered at a homeless shelter serving dinner. It wasn't just the feeling of "doing good", which is really a rather selfish reason I think, but actually getting acquainted with the people there and realizing that many of us are just a paycheck or two away from the same situation. It was a humbling and educational experience! I always went home feeling very thankful for what I had.

I have spent several Christmases alone also--kids too far away, divorced, etc. I came to treasure those days too. Quiet days, good music, driving around and seeing the decorated homes and streets. Watching a favorite Christmas movie. Time to reflect on who I was and what I wanted from life.

Now surrounded by people, sharing my home with a brother, and once more doing "things" at Christmas, I often wish I had those all-alone holidays back.

Whyme, your post wowed me.

Christmas is not my favorite holiday. It seems something always ruins this time of year for me and 2007 is no exception. Last year, I had emergency surgery and was flown back to Iraq on Christmas eve.

This year, my house had a broken pipe and the repair took all my cash reserve. There won't be a Christmas for me this year again. I realize I have much to be thankful for and I am. However, I'll be alone....The last Christmas I celebrated was in 1998!

I wouldn't share this normally. However, any ideas where I might go and what I might do? There is a nursing home near by. I might go visit someone there.

All my children are out of State with the exception of one daughter. She is in her last year of College, works, and will spend Christmas with her husband's family.

It a full blown case of empty nest syndrome as well as missing my parents who are now dead. I also terribly miss my YM who remains in Iraq.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and for allowing me to "whine".

If you live close to Indiana, you're welcome to come spend Christmas with us..........:yes:

love,
sora

All wonderful ideas and good for you, Peggy, for deciding to make something good come out of your situation.

There are lots of other people who are alone on Christmas because they can't afford to fly home, they have no families or their family's are splintered, their kids/grandkids are spending the holidays with the other divorced parent or the in-laws this year, etc. Ask people what their plans are at work, at your church, or in your neighborhood and if they have none, invite them to your home to celebrate Christmas.

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas. Inviting anyone to my home is not possible as the budget won't allow the purchase of anything resembling a Christmas dinner. The plumbing repair was over $800.00.

I've learned so much working for the Dept. of corrections and realize that most likely, the plumbers, electricians I've hired in the past had criminal records. That is why they didn't repair the problem. They just did two or three temporary fixes that made them money with little effort. This last plumber said I had been had when I showed him my receipts.

I did get the p.m about the bird and that is something I'm considering. However, I want to have some money ahead first.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I'm sure my day will be blessed with many phone calls. I claim not to like the commercial aspect of Christmas; but secretly wish for a present! I'll try and locate a women's shelter.

God bless and may your Christmas be extra special. Just the thought that you would invite me into your home means so much. Ageless is a very special place.:bgrin2:

peggy...you could invite people and make it pot luck...

Thanks for the wonderful idea. Most people have plans already and since I've been overseas, I don't know anyone in my little town well.

Next year will be much better. I've got allot to be thankful for. My health is good. I just passed a defensive tactics course that many of the younger ones had difficulty with.

I've received a promotion and have a chance to make a difference in some of the young men's lives.

My ex used to leave me during Christmas and that adds to the confusion this time of year. It is filled with painful memories.

Once again, thank you all for your kind replies.

This is most awesome... :yes:

If you live close to Indiana, you're welcome to come spend Christmas with us..........:yes:

love,
sora

Peggy.... :bighug: God bless you....

Almost everyone I have talked with is having a hard time this year. I'm sorry it's the same for you as well. It's been a hard year... :( I hope next year is better for all of us.

I do hope your Christmas is blessed with many phone calls from friends and loved ones...

I too, recently had an expensive car repair, and will barely make my mortgage this month, so our Christmas will be pretty tight, to say the least. But, I have a house, I have a running car, I am healthy enough to work, I have a job, I have heat, I have electricity, I have running water, and right now, I have a nice glass of wine! :)

Christmas is about the birth of Jesus through whom all things are possible. His birth is the beginning of our hope. Whether we're with family or alone, He is always with us. Focus on His love this year, and not on what you don't have. Because with Jesus in your heart, you really don't need anything else.

If you're near Colerain, Ohio, you can come here (are you in the U.S.?) but you'll have to put up with my parents! LOL After meeting them, you'll wish you were alone!

Oh, I wanted to say too, if you spend Christmas alone, rent a bunch of classic Christmas movies, cook whatever your favorite thing is, buy a bottle of your favorite wine, and spoil yourself! We'll all come here and "hang" with ya, okay?

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have Christmas with a senior citizen who has no family as well.

Enough of the blues...you are right Polly. Jesus is enough. I'm blessed in so many ways. You can be sure I'll be checking Ageless on Christmas.

Sora thank you for your kindness. If any of you guys ever pass through Hot Springs, you'd better stop by!