Dreading Xmas

[peacock]

I am dreading Xmas this year. My only son is in the army interstate and due to Covid he cannot be with us this Xmas and I miss him so much. We’ve been invited to a friends place for Xmas day but I really do not want to go. I just went to the supermarket to buy food for Xmas day and the place was packed with people pushing and jamming each other and being rude to the staff. It’s all about consumerism and excess nowadays and I’m over it. Does anyone else feel this way or am I a Grinch? If anyone has some tips of how to cope through this enforced socialising and over consumption please let me know. I’d rather donate the money I would normally spend.

[sunnyl20]

I’m really sorry to hear you won’t be with your only son this Christmas. I am sure he misses you too. I hope you are able to be with each other again soon, that must be so difficult. You are definitely not alone in feeling the way you do about Christmas - there are many people out there who for many different reasons find it a lonely, painful and/or distressing time of the year. I’m sorry I don’t really have any advice to offer, but maybe you could plan something to look forward to for the days after Christmas to get you through tomorrow. It doesn’t have to be big, just something that you will enjoy. Making a donation or volunteering in the Christmas period is a great idea if that is something that you want to do. I’m sorry I am not much help, but please know I hear what you’re saying and you’re not alone in how you feel. It doesn’t make you the grinch! Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you feel like it. We are here to listen. Take care.

[peacock]

Thanks for your kind reply. I’ve decided that I will go to the friend’s place for Xmas day as it is better than staying home and feeling sad. Your comments did help and it’s good to know that someone is there. I hope you have a happy Xmas.

[Blue_Wombat]

Hello peacock,

I just wanted to say you are not alone. I am having a difficult time this Christmas too. In fact Christmas is always painful for me, because our daughter is at the other side of the world. She has MH issues and is not very good at keeping up regular communication.

I share with you the thoughts that Christmas has been over commercialised. It used to be so much fun when we were kids. Things were so much simpler then and there wasn't this spend, spend, spend mentality. It was always about love and getting together.

People seemed to care for each other in a much kinder way. Neighbours looked out for each other. Maybe they still do but sadly I've not seen much of it here.

Christmas is bittersweet for us. We got married on Christmas Eve 37 years ago, so we always celebrate our anniversary on the 24th...peeling sprouts! Two years ago and just two weeks before Christmas my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer and diabetes. That was our nasty Christmas Grinch, which was duly extracted, but then that was followed by two years of chemo and visits to the hospital.

Dear hub is still here, though the prognosis isn't good as it's metastasised, but we are battling on. So without getting too maudlin....yes, I can empathise with you. It's not the same without family, but take heart dear peacock....you are not alone in feeling down.

For now, I wish you all the best and hope that next year, we will turn out a much happier one for all of us and here's hoping you get a call from your son for Christmas, I hope he stays safe.

Merry Christmas

Blue Wombat