Community Chat

[Winifred]

I agree this year has been something else - and a big part of that was certainly the year end - and it ain't over yet. I also find it sad and losing a child - regardless of age, etc is unbelievably difficult. I lost my only child - a beautiful daughter in the late 80s - sudden and very tragic and it continues to hit a parent constantly. Am sure Debbie was devastated - her age and this time of the year would present added stress and strain. So very sad indeed.

[dooBdoo]

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@cherry wrote:

If your sad ,your sad. No one has the right to tell you how you should feel

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          You're absolutely correct, @cherry.   Our feelings are just that:  our feelings.   They can't be invalidated by another's opinion about how we "should" feel.   There are far too many complex, personal, individual factors that create our emotions, some of which we understand and some not so clear or obvious.    I agree with you about this past year.   Much more than the deaths of famous people, there have been countless events that impacted our lives in far-reaching ways.   The ripple effects are real.   And we add to that our personal losses, and it's a good reason to tell 2016 to move away quickly and "don't let the door hit ya on the way out."   My hopes and prayers for a better 2017.

[dooBdoo]

(((@happycat))) and (((@Winifred))).❤️

[TY]

I'm glad this year is almost over too.

[Susan in California]

@cherry

Your posts resonate with me.  I have had a very sad feeling these past few days,

and tonight's news about Debbie Reynolds added to this feeling.  Yes, I realize

death is part of life, and it is the whole cycle of life.  But we feel the way we feel.

I also believe the holidays are often melancholy as well as wonderful.

For me, personally, the recent election has added to my feelings.  But, in general,

thank you for your thoughtful posts.

[Sooner]

Of course I feel sorry for the loss of anyone's friend or family member, but in reality, the deaths of people I don't know are not something that I think about a lot.  I have my own time of sorrow and morning, as they have theirs.

It has been a hard year for us, but no I am not sad or depressed now, and am hopeful for the next year.  I feel like life goes on, things will change, many for the better, some for the worse, and life and death cycle through the days as always.

For me, life right now is on a little upswing and I intent to enjoy it.  So Happy New Year and look on the bright side!  

[SunValley]

A sad year for many, and for me, personally, not looking forward to 2017 for a variety of reasons. It's always hard to lose loved ones and when celebrities who resonate with us pass, it's a reminder to me how intertwined our lives become with not just those we know personally but also the community of people who touch our lives. We impact people every day in ways we cannot even imagine. 

[gidgetgh]

I'm one heckuva multi tasker.  I rejoice and am glad every single day that I'm alive.  EVERY.  SINGLE.  DAY.  The gratitude I feel for my life knows no limits.

BUT.... like others, this has been a really difficult year for my family and close circle of friends and it's all made me very sad.  Several deaths in our family, including a 2 1/2 week old infant and a really horrible situation affecting a friend, my best friend, who's like a sister to me and then.... well, just other events that made me sad also.  That's all I'll say on that.

So I'm able to be glad AND sad at the same time.  

While we don't know these celebrities personally, I'm always sad when I hear of their passing.  It's a reminder that there is an end to all lives.  Their existence and life's works brought ME joy along the way with the songs they sang or movies they were in or the books they wrote.  So in some small way, they have an effect on our lives.  It's ok to mourn their loss and to have empathy for THEIR family and friends who mourn.

I think the end of any year can be sad when you reflect on all that's happened in your life, the good and the bad and the lives of those we care about, our country, the world.

I am MORE than ready for this year to be over.  While I am so thankful that I've been able to live in this year, it needs to go now.  

[Cakers3]

I don't see posters being told how to "feel"-I see a variety of opinions about life and grief.

We identify celebrity deaths with pivotal times in our own lives.

Glenn Frey stood out as well as David Bowie-but how many mourned Paul Kantner, one of the founding members of Jefferson Airplane?

We also identify the deaths of other public figures in the same way.

I'm not wishing the rest of the year away because there will still be deaths and other heartaches in 2017. 

For me one year rolls into the next; the touch and go set back wtih our son brought us to our knees but other times this year were freaking awesome.

Feeling sad about the death of a celebrity brings us in touch with our own mortality, our own life experiences, and reminds us that we all rejoice, we all cry, we are human.

What is not healthy is clinging to the grief of others who do not know us. We can certainly empathize but those lives are not OUR lives.  I can feel sad for Carrie and Debbie but I feel sadder for the loss of Speedy, our friend here on this forum.

I feel sad for those who have lost loved ones; but I feel sadder for myself having come very, very close to losing someone this year.

Nobody here knows everyone's story completely; there is no right or wrong regarding these recent deaths but just because a person isn't looking through 2016 and seeing only sadness doesn't make that person insensitive.

We view life through perceptions long ago established; I look forward to 2017 not because I wish THIS year away but because I still believe in miracles.

Miracles for me, for my loved ones, for everyone here who battles illness; for those who mourn privately especially-you are not alone.

Reflect on what you can do to mend bridges broken long ago; try to forgive and see the good in people and in life because this is all you get, folks.  Make the best of what you can, pick your battles, and try to do better in 2017.  You'll feel better in the long run.

[cherry]

@ cakers  I was told to rejoice, and look on the bright side. No one has any idea what my life .nor anyone elses has been like this past year, and people should respect others feelings, if they say they are sad, that is just how they feel