What is Everyone Doing to make the Season Bright?

MarcieB

The Holiday season is in full swing, so what is everybody doing? Unfortunately, a Christmas tree doesn't ward off bad vibes...I daresay we have all known some tough yuletides and I sincerely hope this year isn't one of them for you. I have two friends dealing with a recent heavy diagnosis and one who is still reeling from a tragic loss. I have been those places in Christmas past, so I am grateful for a peaceful time this year.

What are we doing to make the best of things right now? Decorating? Choosing gifts or cards? Baking? (I love to bake!)

I am painting Christmas ornaments to raise money for mission work in third world countries. Lots of hungry people out there, I am happy I have a way that can help a little.

Please check in to share a Merry Christmas, or whatever greeting you prefer! It is said to be a season of love, and I have witnessed a lot of love on this site as we endeavor to help each other.

Bug

Good question, MarcieB. Unfortunately, husband and I are a couple of the folks who are having a tough yuletide. As some of you know, he received a heavy diagnosis earlier this year. Today his brother and I decorated the Christmas tree while he watched. My sister and brother are coming over for dinner on Christmas Day. The shopping is done. No cards this year. I subscribed to the New York Times daily cookie e-mail list (I guess it's a holiday thing) and am enjoying perusing that.

Carool

Wow, questions here are being put under Questions!!! Thank you, WN!

MarcieB, I’m sorry about your two friends.

As some of you know, I’m Jewish so don’t celebrate Christmas, but I do like that its festive. MarcieB, I saw your handpainted Christmas ornaments on FB. They are beautiful.

Bug, I love Christmas trees!

omaalyce

Christmas here is always a joy and a sad time. My mom passed away at 49 of melanoma in 1976 on Christmas eve. I had renal cell cancer and lost my right kidney to it when I was 45 on December 9, 1993. Now my husband and I are flying to Missouri next week as our daughter who is 46 has 8 masses in her abdomen-the surgery is the 21st. 2 masses are the size of limes and one is attached to her bladder. They have not been able to do a biopsy because they can't get to the masses due to their placement.

So, no tree up and trying hard not to be too worried. I am looking forward to having both our daughters (the youngest lives in Chicago) there and 3 of our grandchildren. It's been many years since we have had a Christmas with any of our grandchildren.

Presents bought or sent to my daughter's house-I am the Amazon Queen. I will get my granddaughter to help me wrap what's there. She's 19 and I truly enjoy her company. Not sure how long our girl will be in the hospital as they have to cut her open, too much going on to perform surgery any other way. Aside from her tonsils and babies she has never had surgery so she has no idea what to think. That's why she has so many masses, she thought it was her period changing as she matures.

Wishing all of you love and joy and keeping you all in my heart and prayers.

MarcieB

omaalyce, you have a LOT on your plate. Like I said, the holiday season is no respecter of troubles. They happen. My first husband went in for his third brain surgery Christmas Eve night, (also the result of melanoma) and I don't remember anything about that Christmas except that. And the fact that I found unwrapped Christmas presents for me in his office when I went to clean it out after his death in February. A hard season.

But, it sounds like in spite of all this trauma, you are seeing some bright spots - time to talk to your granddaughter is a real joy. You have been through the fire, so you know this too, will pass. But, in the meantime I am holding you in my heart, with my personal friends who all need a boost of love these next few weeks. And Bug? - you too!

judithj

Well - the question is - how to make this season special in spite of....
Marcie B, Oamaalyce, Bug - you are rising to the challenge. And then some.

I guess that's it, we just keep decorating, visiting, holding hands.The tornado survivors in Kentucky, families of slain children, cancer victims and survivors - we are a trauma 'family' and have learned how to keep days/holidays special. It is hard.

I congratulate us all and send you my best wishes for a peaceful, loving Christmas.

Carool

omaalyce, I send best wishes for your daughter and you and your husband.

MLT

This is an amazing group! Love to all.
I am on a chemo break to let my body heal from side effects. So nice to be able to do things without the hand/foot syndrome.
Baked cookies with grand daughter, iced with her family. So many laughs! Pentatonix concert lat Sun. Filled my heart with Christmas joy! So happy we could fit these activities in btwn school, play practices and working on costumes for this busy girl. So far behind at home, but hope to get busy on it today. Family Christmas here on the 26th. So grateful for every moment of this busy time.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

ImWorthIt

We will be home for Christmas Day this year. I really thought we would be going away for the holiday. We are usually gone so no tree at our house. I will be perfectly honest. With my cancer scare in 2019 and major family illness, Christmas just does not feel like a time to be joyful to me anymore. I have bought a few presents and wrapped them. I have usually done 2-3 rounds of weekend baking for holidays by this time and I usually know exactly what I want and what everyone else wants.
This year, I feel like Christmas is "just another day." I am so out of touch with my faith that I am actually scared to go to church, yet I know it's exactly where I belong. My husband is in Christmas denial too, so it's not a great situation.

I am very thankful that I am here this year and that my family members are here, given health concerns and other concerns over the past couple of years. So I know I have things to celebrate, but just not feeling the "Christmas spirit."

I am trying really hard to practice "It's more blessed to give than receive." I am not about being a big receiver, but my last few experiences with giving have really left me not wanting to give either.

For Christmas this year, I want a renewal of my faith and a little glimmer of faith in humanity in general. You folks definitely give me faith in humanity.

I will be sending out positive vibes, good thoughts and prayers for those who face a difficult holiday season.

Lynne-I-Am

Hi everyone. I kept checking the site every few weeks hoping the question page would be up and operating correctly again and it looks like ( at least for now ) , that has occurred. Just being able to communicate with all my friends here on WhatNext brightens up the Christmas season for me. Wishing all of you better days ahead and into the New Year.

petieagnor

I'm not going into my Christmas this year. I just wanted to say that while I was clearing out some VERY OLD WhatNext Digests that I found some for the New Year that Greg & others posted. Since my surgery in October, I've felt that I'm just hanging on. I'm looking forward to the NEW YEAR!

MarcieB

Petieagnor, it's okay to skip the festivities when you are not feeling it. I know I speak for all of us when I say we want you to do more than "hang on" - we want you to move forward. I, for one, will pray that happens. I hope you are surrounded by people who will allow you to rest and get stronger each day so that your New year will be a good one. Love to you.

ImWorthIt

I typed a whole answer here yesterday re: Petiagnor. I don't know if I said something wrong or got blocked.
I echo Marcie's sentiment that we want you to move forward and thrive rather than just hanging on. Although, sometimes just hanging on is good enough. It means you haven't succumbed, surrendered or otherwise. So I will take "hanging on" for now.
We wish you the best Petieagnor.

Carool

Wishing everyone who celebrates Christmas a very joyful Christmas! May it be filled with warmth, love, and good health.