topic Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖 in Community Chat

Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

SandySparkles — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:21:16 GMT

Happy holidays Forum Family!🎄I was thinking of my dear mother and other beloved family members now in heaven, and thought this summed up my thoughts rather nicely! I thought of our Forum Family members; now in heaven, and wanted to share these comforting words! @ECBG was the first to come to mind.💖 I empathize with any of you, or someone you know who is having an especially challenging time this year! My dear mother was the glue that held our family together (as dysfunctional as we might have been) during the holidays!! This year has been ESPECIALLY rough for me as I am facing some of my toughest challenges!😔Sweet memories of her lovingly prepared holiday meals are still the topic of great conversation, as she ALWAYS cooked wonderful holiday feasts and had a seat at her table for any and everyone!!!! I miss her dearly!💝💝

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Pyrite2616 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:23:48 GMT

Welcome back @SandySparkles . May the memory of your dear mother be a blessing.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

SandySparkles — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:29:10 GMT

@Pyrite2616 Thank you SO much for your kind words and welcome!❤️ Her memory is truly a blessing I am forever grateful for!😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

FancyPhillyshopper — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:30:23 GMT

So many of us do not appreciate all we have, and do not give enough thanks for our blessings in life.

Yes, missing deceased family members is difficult, but the wonderful memories we have prove that we were loved, and we loved in return.

Best wishes to you, and know that your sweet messages are always valued and cherished.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

SandySparkles — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 06:43:18 GMT

@FancyPhillyshopper I appreciate your lovely compliment, and WHOLEHEARTEDLY concur! It is the wonderful memories that warm my heart, and make me smile!🥰 They temper the sadness when it comes! THANK you so much for sharing!😊

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

on the bay — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:42:37 GMT

Sandy!

It is so wonderful to see you!

Do you know the 2 people I've been thinking about most today are my mother and ECBG(Cathy).

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year and it's because of my mother. She had 30 of our family-aunts, uncles, children, grandchildren, great granchildren, nieces and nephews from all across this nation come to dinner and she was the best cook ever. Everything she made was a wonderful memory.

Watching Christmas movies every day make me miss her so much and listening to her favorite Christmas songs but I like to feel her in my heart.

She would sit at the piano and we would sing Christmas Carols from this beautiful Christmas songbook.

Her favorite was "Joy to the World." She made Christmas magical and full of love.

And ECBG, I was watching a new video from Kirsten and Jeorg that she introduced me to and thinking how much she would like it, and thanking her again for this gift.

She was not only a forum friend but outside the forums and we would talk pretty much every day and just share our lives together.

I know I am very lucky to have such a family and friends and I know not everyone does.

I want to say that if anyone is thinking of calling someone to say hi or how are you or just listen, don't wait, and just call even if you don't know what to say. Let them know you are thinking of them.

This time of year brings the spirit of love and hope no matter what religion and we can share that with everyone we meet.

Thank you too @SandySparkles for sharing the memories of your wonderful mom. I bet our mothers would have been fast

friends

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 09:08:01 GMT

@SandySparkles

Hi Sandy!

Nice to see you ... and thank you for the lovely sentiment.

Take good care of yourself during the holidays!

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

JYWilliams — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:13:57 GMT

@SandySparkles, It's good to hear from you and what a nice post especially about your mom. My mom is in Memory Care at a Nursing Home. I spend just as much time seeing her there like I did when she was in her own home. I'm grateful she's still here. I do think about other people who might not see the holiday as a lot of others do for what ever reasons. It saddens me to hear that a person has to spend it alone. I am so grateful for my family and friends and I never take any of them for granted nor anything in life for granted.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Roscoe the Rascal — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 10:58:49 GMT

I agree not always easy. I seem to be having a bit more trouble this year with the holiday season. All holidays so it seems. Nice to be able to connect with those who are feeling the same. We are not alone.

Memories can be bitter sweet at times.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Desertdi — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 11:44:17 GMT

@SandySparkles

I have only one blood relative left. The others are shirt-tail...inlaws, friends or neighbors of my parents, etc. Most of them (including the cousin) vocally criticize my beliefs and values. Sign of the times...

Blessings of the holidays to you! di

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

CalminHeart — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:23:30 GMT

Thank you for posting this. Christmas is my least favorite holiday. All it does is bring up a trauma that I manage to put away the rest of the year.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Pittfanatic — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 12:34:27 GMT

I have been reading these posts for years but only recently started posting a few myself. I agree that it is good to hear from you. I come from a very large Italian/Irish family. My grandmother was one of 10 children who all lived next to each other in a very small town. In our family, my grandmother was the glue that brought everyone together...four sons, wives, and nine grandchildren in the smallest home you can imagine. Yet, it was wonderful. I miss it every Christmas. While we have definitely scattered over the years, I have managed to remain close to my cousins and for that I am truly grateful. One is facing a terminal cancer diagnosis so this may be her last Christmas (colon cancer). She faces it with determination, grace, and all the love our huge extended family can provide. So while I am in Florida, and they are all back in Pa., I remember those wonderful holidays when we were young. No, it isn't the same. But I am so blessed to have such incredible memories. I hope you are able to find some comfort and peace and do the same. Happy Holidays to you.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:43:11 GMT

From an Ann Landers column Dec.,1987; Holiday depression is more common than you think.

You are not alone. Everywhere you look , the ads, the movies and the TV,you see the most heart warming family gatherings.

The truth is NOBODY IS HAVING THAT MUCH FUN. Those are actors to make you feel good about buying the sponser's product.

Just relax and take it as it comes. Take care of yourself. We'll need you in January.Peace and Good will.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

lynnie61 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:26:11 GMT

Thank you @SandySparkles for the wonderful post. Glad to see you posting. Although I love the Christmas season, I know many, many people struggle.

I try to be thoughtful, and aware that everyone does not have the holiday or memories that I have. I realize just how blessed I am. Offer a smile, a kind word, it can truly change someone's day. It's so important.

My absolute favorite phrase is:

Give Love, it's something you will never run out of.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday however you celebrate. I know many that can't wait for January 2. Everyone is different, and I respect that.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Shanus — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:26:22 GMT

As a child I felt so left out this time of year. As I grew up I learned to accept other people's beliefs and now can enjoy the beautiful decor.lights in the streets and don't balk when people wish me Merry Christmas.

I can accept the differences and also sadness this time of year brings. I try to compliment sales people, wait people, servers, check out people....just a word about their lipstick shade, their pin, scarf, haircut can brighten their day and the big smile brightens mine.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

DSD2 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:38:18 GMT

@SandySparkles thank you for your kind and thoughtful comment.

May all those who are hurting in mind, body and spirit be granted the grace of peace and healing.

Bless you.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

lynnie61 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:54:11 GMT

@on the bay I miss ECBG, On It and Cheriere. They all posted a lot, and were kind posters. Sad when some posted daily, and then just disappear. I hope On it and Cheriere are ok. On it posted a lot during the New Mexico floods.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Oznell — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:06:20 GMT

Wonderful to hear from you again, @SandySparkles , and your timely, most thoughtful message. When you are in the forums, all is well!

Indeed, thinking of essential posters we have lost, like @ECBG, and others who are not here, like @cheriere , and @On It , and others whose names escape me, but who have enriched us so much.

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

Effie54 — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:44:09 GMT

@SandySparkles Hi! I was thinking of you yesterday and wondering how you were. Nice to see you back on the forum. You are right, the holidays are not easy for everyone. We miss our friends and relatives who are no longer with us. It's a time of reflection as well. Hold dear the memories of your mom. 💕

Re: Christmas Is Not An Easy Time For Everyone.💖

on the bay — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:51:21 GMT

@lynnie61 wrote:
@on the bay I miss ECBG, On It and Cheriere. They all posted a lot, and were kind posters. Sad when some posted daily, and then just disappear. I hope On it and Cheriere are ok. On it posted a lot during the New Mexico floods.

@lynnie61,

Yes, those 2, me too and I hope so too!