[Anony]

Christmas makes me sad.
It's nothing specific that makes me sad... it's pretty much everything... the holiday environment, the Christmas songs, our old house, the fights, the tears, the financial woes... just memories in general. I don't like being around my relatives (other than my parents and sister) and the holidays seem to force that upon me... Every year I'm convinced I have an ulcer after visiting with them.

I have no Christmas spirit this year... and if it wasn't for tons of commercials reminding people they only have a few days left to spend millions of dollars in their stores I probably wouldn't even notice if Christmas had passed by. The only thing that makes this holiday special to me is having my parents, sister, and myself together (when we're actually all getting along) but my sister can't make it home for Christmas this year (she got a new job in another country). It won't be the same but we're still going to make the best of it.

Also, is it just me or are fewer and fewer people decorating their houses and lawns now? My mom and I were going to drive around a bit looking at lights (trying to get in the spirit) but there wasn't much to look at. I really enjoyed Christmas lights when I was little...

One more thing to rant about: I was at the store today and to my surprise they already had Valentine's items and gifts for sale! It's sad to see how commercialized all holidays have gotten. I predict Easter merchandise will be out within a month or so...

Thanks for letting me free my thoughts...

And Merry Christmas to everyone!!

[whoever]

I'm with you, Christmas is just something to suvive every year, I look forward to it about as much as a visit to the dentist! Hang in there, it's almost over and everyone can go back to their nice, "normal" routines! The stores are awful, Our Wally World had Christmas up before Halloween! I don't go anywhere there but the pet aisle now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Valentine stuff up.

[stefano]

OH no, the dentist is WAY better!
Because he is generally FAST and takes AWAY the pain.

[Perna]

My community has a Christmas lights contest and is a large "island" so that works out well, there are vestigages of old fashioned Christmases. We have plenty of lights and I'm thrilled that we live way in the "back"/end part of the community so have to drive through and can see the lights most evenings. I think the contest is tonight so maybe tomorrow night I'll have my husband drive us around the rest of the area to see what we haven't seen.

We didn't decorate indoors much, we haven't had a tree since we moved here two years ago; the first year we were too busy still moving in and last year we were in the middle of construction and this year I just wasn't in the mood :-) We're seeing the "usual" people we see except my brother but we saw him around Thanksgiving I think so that's okay, he lives in another state and would be another long trip and we have several of those this year. That's the only thing I get tired of, the travelling.

((((((((((((Anony))))))))))))

I'm so sorry this christmas is hard.

[sassypants]

I totally agree with you. The songs, my parents divorced,
I got divorced. My mom almost became a Jehovah witness,
after being catholic for 45 yrs. And the depression.....

I really feel like the Grinch. Thank God , it is almost over.
But I am happy for the birth of Jesus.

[(JD)]

I'm sorry that you are unable to experience the joy of the season. Please do realize that it is the depression, and that they Reason for the Season remains, and can comfort you even in your distressed days.

It's important to try and look forward, not back, to find life. Depression tells lies and makes you look backwards seeing only the negative. Yes, there are many negative things in life to view or review if we really want to ...and I know it's difficult to try and "have" hope when you don't have any due to depression.

Yes, it is, in a way, just another day. Do your best, God knows where you are, and why.

[1oxbowgirl]

Anony,
I agree in many ways with you. I try to enjoy Christmas, but find it hard since I live so far away from my family, and the family in which I live has such a negative attitude about most everything including Christmas. I love going around looking at the Christmas lights at night and I enjoyed our church service. But there is a emptyness that comes when loved ones are far away. (((((Anony))).

[EJ711]

Anony,

I feel the same way.

Almost all of my family is dead, or they live very far away.

I know God still loves me.

EJ

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((( Anony ))))))))))))))

[zombiette]

i know where ur coming from...i had a horrible christmas...same thing happens which happens every year...my mother got all anxious and obsessive again (she is mentally ill but will not seek treatment), her and my father bickered constantly (goodness only knows why they are still married if they don't like each other), i intervened and got told to shut up, xmas day lunch i sat in a silent dining room with my mum's side of the family (most of whom are just as bad as her) where an average of one word was uttered every 5 minutes, then i went and self-harmed, oh joy. i cannot wait til my flight leaves friday morning out of my horrible hometown and back to the other side of the country where i can blissfully ignores whose dysfunctional ppl that i'm apparently related to!! new years should be more fun

[need2move4ward]

I can relate. My brother called the cops on me, we got into a huge fight, he called me tons of profanity, and now him and my mom, the only people I have in my life are out to xmas dinner, because after the cops saw me sobbing last night, the cops told us my bro and i can can have no contact with each other. I almost called and apologized like I always do--my family holds grudges, can I take care of me now?I pray that some happiness comes into ALL our lives!! My heart can't take anymore--afraid I will have a hearattack at age 37--it's all causing me chest pains.
((((hug to all who are sad))))

[ChipsAhoy]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I don't go anywhere there but the pet aisle now, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Valentine stuff up.

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Another depressing holiday for me.