Think back to when you were a child. The wonder of the season, the anticipation and the joy of Christmas. Don't forget the true meaning of Christmas. Give a homemade gift from the kitchen to someone who needs a lift at this time of year and before you know it you'll feel better as well.

O.K. Everett...may not lift your spirits, but, will surely get you laughing.
Lisa

A little Christmas mystery solved...
Not long ago and far away, Santa was getting ready for his annual trip...but there were problems everywhere. Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit. This stressed Santa even more. When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where to. More Stress!
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the boards cracked and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. Totally frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he
found the elves had hit the liquor and there was nothing to drink. In his frustration, he dropped the coffee pot and it broke into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from.
Just then the door bell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. He opened the door and there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree. The angel said: "Where would you like to put this tree, fat man?" And that my friend, is how the little angel came to be...
on top of the Christmas Tree!

If you have good health, you have EVERYTHING. Get yourself involved in helping someone who needs it. Doesn't take money - just your time and your ear. I guarantee you that you will receive more by helping someone else than they will.

I have to say I have had good and bad Christmas, birthday, days, months, years. But what keeps me going is the simple thoughts that out there someone thinks of how lucky I am, how rich I am, how they wish they were living in shoes. Remind yourself in some way how much you do have compared to others less fortunate, count on your family or friends for help, reach out and share whatever you might have big or small to someone else. Christmas is just another day in the year really but if you live your life with the spirit it represents...of giving and warmth with love and peace in your heart...it will make the saddess days brighter. There are many simple things you can do to change your life and they all start with how you feel inside. I don't mean to peach at all...just know how black things can seem with bills, relationships and loss....I have fought the battled my whole life to not allow those things to take over. You can email me anytime...if it's just to chat or talk about the highs and lows of your day. You know...funny thing is this forum and it's craft ideas have gotten me a long way this Fall through many hard times...just keeping me busy and not letting my mind sink into my problems. Tomorrow will be brighter. Merry Christmas! :) Sharon

Loved the angel story.

Everett:

Whenever I start to feel down and a little sorry for myself I always think there is someone out there who is worse off than I am.

I take care of mom 24/7 alone with little help
from family

I have no money, cannot work because I take care of my mom and I will not collect welfare because I am able to work I just can't.

My house is falling down around my ears because I can't afford to fix it. I had to cash out my insurance policy savings to buy a badly needed roof

I am not in a relationship because I don't get out much to meet people.

I sometimes have no one to talk to because I know my friends are too busy and my mom does not speak anymore. I have tried holding a conversation with my dog and cat but I have had the darndest time learning how to growl and mew. LOL

But you know what? I would not change a thing because my mom is still alive, I am fairly healthy, I have a new roof over my head, I have wonderful friends and neighbours who care about me, and I have recently found this forum with wonderful people who help you find answers to your questions. I live each day with joy and never let things get me down. People don't understand that, with the situation I am in.

I love all holidays especially Christmas. I trim my 7.5 foot Christmas tree, I decorate the mantle even if it is only me that sees it. I bake cookies for my friends and neighbours. I like the holidays because they give me something to look forward to no matter how much life tries to bring me down.

Cheer up. I really don't know how bad your life is or what you are going through but there is someone else out there always worse off than each one of us. Not that it gives me any solace to see other people suffer.

My friends who are alone on Christmas help out at a mission on Christmas day serving meals to the less fortunate, or visit nursing homes to cheer up the elderly who just may want a hand to hold.

I hope things go well for you Everett. Focus on the bright spot in your life and don't let your troubles overwhelm you.

Take care and whether you want it or not I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a better New Year.

Anne

Everete,
I hope things are better, life and the holidays can be really tough. All of the people that have responded to your message have great ideas and we all care. My neice sent this to me recently and I thought it too, might help to raise your spirits.
BAKE A CAKE
A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything"
is going wrong. School, family problems, severe health problems, etc..
Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her
grandson if he would like a snack, which, of course, he does.
"Here, have some cooking oil."
"Yuck" says the boy.
"How about a couple raw eggs? "
"Gross, Grandma!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Grandma, those are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem
bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they
make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times
we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when
He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We
just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"

God is Crazy About You. He sends you flowers every
spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll
listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

God has bless you with a family even if they are a thousand miles away the people in New York that have lose there love ones and the soliders that have died in the war for our freedom those family would tell you it not the material things that count it our family and friends if you are hungery Im sure there is some one in your town that would be glad to help you if you need a tree that bad go out side get a branch and throw a string of lites on it My kids done that one year when we had a very pretty tree in the liveing room but do you know there tree out shines the one that was in the liveing room it was a very pretty tree no leaves but the light just sparkled and I will pray for you to that your life may be better you know when God is in your life you have the best friend in the world he cant do it all for you ,you have to try on your part to. please take a deep breath then start to count your blessings one by one see what God has done.Dont but evey thing on the material things of this world take care

Everett,
Want to know a good reason for the season?
Just what you've already done. Came here to seek cheer. And you got it too :-) What better reason than all the great people on this forum, giving cheer and help whenever it's needed. I've only been her a short while, but it's the first place I go every morning just to keep up with goings on and of course all the wonderful ideas and anecdotes shared. So many laughs (and tears) but always a friendly voice and encouragement.
Let this forum and it's members give you a smile and remember, it's people that make the holidays special. So keep visiting and you'll find yourself smiling soon.
Have a blessed holiday :o)

Janie LA, thanks, I copied the Bake a Cake and keep it for people I email when they are in need of cheer. Everet, I know I posted before but you have a lot of good caring people here who are cheering you on. Years ago I had some rough times though not the same as yours and first I leaned on the Lord and second I just kept saying a year from now it has to be better so I would have something to look forward to. I gave it a year because I figured I would be very happy if it was shorter than that and if I gave it a week or month and it wasn't straightened out by then I would have been discouraged. Sometimes we have to use strategy with our minds.LOL I just figured if I gave it to the Lord that whatever happened was His way anyway. If I didn't give it to Him it was my way which isn't always the best. I am not downplaying your circumstances, I know they are sad and lonely circumstances, try to get involved with volunteering at a hospital or non profit organization and you will meet some good caring people and not be so alone.

JESUS is the reason for the season.

Kim B.

I agree with crafterwannabe, "if you have good health, you have everything." Our family has had a rough year, healthwise. I had kidney cancer this summer and hubby had major back surgery, then we had other minor health ailments develop too. But hey, we are doing really well and so grateful to be alive and be able to have a Christmas. We might not be having a big material Christmas this year, but we also still have our faith which is always there for us. Just take one day at a time and try to savor each one.

I agree.. the Lord is the reason for the season.. it's what we shud be celebrating.. everyone of us.. instead of focusing on man made traditions.. presents, etc.. food, etc..
Try this.
Simplify your life and your Christmas.
I know a secret.
Just focus all your time and energies on people other than yourself.. Look at the world in a whole dft light.. and bless people everyday.. no, not with presents or money, just with your time, your smile, your kindness, your appreciation.
People need people.
Just as you have sought comfort etc fr us here.. there are others out there that are hurting too, and are just waiting to hear fr you.
Someone once told me once, 'YOU are someone else's miracle.'
Always remember that.
You can make a dfce in the lives of others. Just try.. get out of your comfort zone.. and start doing things for others.... it could be as simple as just being there to listen to someone.. or giveing someone a smile.. or a handwritten note.. about how much you appreciate them.
It's in the simple things.

Kindness in this world is sorely lacking sometimes.. I think.

Be a blessing everywhere you go.. and let no one leave your company without them feeling better than the time they first encountered you. Focus on others' needs.

It's called BEING SELFLESS.

THEORCHARD

I tend to feel the same way, but I stop and think about what christmas is really about. It's not about presents, the gifts we received, how many christmas cards we get (or dont), or about who has the most lights up on their house.

Christmas should come from the heart. To give thanks for Jesus for our lives.It is "HIS" birthday we are celebrating, itn't it~

Happy Holidays,

Cyd

Everette....... I'll share my "CHOCOLATE" with you.

Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New year.

We get out of this life what we put in to it.
So get a lot of "put", you'll forget about the "get"

Patti

I love the angel story.
I love the thought of Cherryfizz learning mew and growl - my dogs only speak growl but I'm getting there.
I love the bake a cake.

A few weeks ago someone in this country had a special display at their dungeon at the castle (a tourist attraction, you understand, not a private home!). Instead of 'Santa's Grotto' they had 'Satan's Dungeon', where the song being played was 'Robins roasting on an open fire'.
People called the local radio station and said it was an insult to Christianity. I found it hysterical - and I'm a Christian priest. OK, I wasn't so taken with Satan but the robins ......ROFLMAO!
Santas and robins are OK - but they're not the reason for the season.
Family-feeling is great - but it's not the reason.
Being generous is great - but it's not the reason.
I'm listening to a TV programme behind me now about gift-buyers for the stars in the States and they're talking about how big 'A Patriotic Christmas' is this year.
Don't get me wrong there is NOTHING wrong with loving one's country, I'm patriotic - but it's not the reason for the season.
There are so many things, perfectly nice things in themselves, that have been added to the celebration of Christmas over the centuries that the world is in dire danger of forgetting entirely the real reason - the birth of the Saviour of the World.
Everett - please don't be offended if I say that maybe you've been given the best Christmas present of all - that awful feeling that it's all hollow, what's being presented to us and that there has to be something more. There is - and you're ready to find it, to find God in Christ.
If you think it's right, pray, ask Jesus to come into your life.
It's not a magic, instant formula, not many people ever see fireworks, I never have. But this might just be the time your life begins to change.
Take care,
Alice

Everette compared to what the people in New York are going thru you have no worry's. I have bad and good day's on my bad day's I get out and I do something in my community you would be suprised how good it makes you feel. To receive you must give try giving to someone I bet you will be a new person with new perspectives in no time. I send you a cyberhug!

I have a dear friend who's 13 year old son is dying and may not live until Christmas. Three months ago he had his eye and part of the bone around this eye removed due to the cancer in it. They thought they got it all. Two weeks ago they gave him two more months. Two days ago the tumor had doubled in size and they gave him a week. The day I found this out I came home and held my daughter for as long as she would let me and thanked God for how lucky I am.
I am not rich, but it seems like every time its come right down to it I've survived. I've never starved and I've never had to go naked.
Put your tree up, even if you dont feel like it. It may cheer you up, even if you dont think it will.
I hope you can find the Christmas spirit. I'll be praying for you.