Christmas Day is Bittersweet - I'm hoping I'm not the ONLY one...

14 years ago

My husband's mother died on Christmas Day 17 years ago today. My own mother went in her sleep, sometime early Christmas morning. My youngest daughter and I were the one that found Mom in her in bed Christmas morning 10 years ago today.

When my husband and I first met (six years ago), and discovered that we had this "unique" thing in common, it was kind of a bonding experience.

I know this may come across as a really odd post for Christmas, but surely I'm not the only one who struggles with a few "less than ideal" memories of Christmas Day?

Thanks in advance.

Rose

Here is a link that might be useful: Unrelated, but cool: Christmas in Wisconsin, 111 years ago today

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Comments (11)

alisande
14 years ago
Not like yours, exactly, but I think all of us who have lost someone remember that person at special times, and feel the loss particularly sharply. One of my difficult times is the day after Christmas, my daughter Gillian's birthday. I usually arrange to be with people that evening--as a distraction.
marie_ndcal
14 years ago
Sad to say also, DH's mom passed away Dec 22, 1966, first time ever she had all the grandkids packages wrapped and under her tree.
Son in law's mom just passed away on my DD's birthday, his wife (sil). But she had been very ill.
Just sending good thought to all who have lost someone they love around the holidays.
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sheilajoyce_gw
14 years ago
In contrast, our first grandchild was born 3 weeks early on Christmas Day. He is 5 today.
susanjf_gw
14 years ago
it was difficult years ago when i answered the phone with a merry christmas and a dear family friend was calling to say her dh had passed...you really don't know what to say, or do...but as with everything, we all have to go on...being with family, and our grands is the best medicine...
nelles_gw
14 years ago
My Mom passed away over 26 years ago, just before my 35th birthday. As an only child, I was VERY close to my Mom, and had never spent a Christmas without her, even when I lived across the country. Christmas has never been the same.

It's only DH & I, and Christmas is easier now that we live in Florida.

Hubby's happy to celebrate Christmas as much, or as little, as I want. Today we played golf, and then went out to dinner.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!
ronf_gw
14 years ago
My first wife, Mary, loved Christmas. We we're married on Dec. 27th, 1980. The church was beautiful with all the Christmas decorations. We had 16 years together until I lost her to ovarian cancer on December 30th. This is always a tough week.
You're in my prayers, Rose.

Ron
lydia1959
14 years ago
I haven't lost anyone on Christmas day, but had a grandfather pass on New Years day back in 1968... about 25 years later his SIL (my uncle) also passed on New Years day.

Sorry to those of you dealing with losses around the holidays.
scraphappy
14 years ago
My husband died on December 19, 2008. His funeral was the 23rd - This is my fourth Christmas without him. Any real joy in the holidays died with him - it will always been the anniversary of the saddest week of my life.

Since then, I've also become estranged from one of my daughters, due to her mental illness and alcoholism.
Today was quiet - son and I shared a turkey dinner I cooked. No tree, no presents, no decorations - one grandson called briefly, said he was "making the rounds" and would be over soon - never showed up. I told son if he had not been with me today, I would have been totally alone all day - might as well have just been any old day.

Next year I'm seriously considering just taking a cruise over the holidays - never been on one, so maybe it's time to see what that's like.
The secret is to not have very high expectations of the day.
kayjones
14 years ago
Scrap, I can SO RELATE to your story - OMG, it's difficult when we lose a loved one and family all have family obligations of their own. If my Stepson didn't live with me, I don't know how I'd make it some days! GOD bless all of us in this position!
sjerin
14 years ago
Ditto your last line, kayjones! I hear that if you're alone and sad on the holidays it can be very helpful to go volunteer somewhere. But that only works if you're physically able, of course.
Jodi_SoCal
14 years ago
My sweet, dear brother-in-law fell asleep on the sofa Christmas eve a few years ago and never woke up. :-(

Jodi-

Christmas Day is Bittersweet - I'm hoping I'm not the ONLY one...

Comments (11)

alisande

marie_ndcal

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