Here We Go Again !!
It happens every year, people start being over jolly, shouting Merry Christmas at everyone they come across, planning parties, shopping till they drop, maxing out credit cards, over eating, over drinking, talking about how Christmas is a time for families to come together and spend a jolly time with each other, exchange presents etc etc etc.
Me I just look around and say BAH HUMBUG!.
If my family all got together there would be the biggest bun fight in history, and that’s putting it mildly. I can just imagine the snide remarks made behind someone’s back, the squabbling over who cooks better, the cheesy “just what I always wanted” thank you as presents were opened, while thoughts of “What a cheap present, you needn’t have bothered” were going on. The arguments over what to watch on TV, who would do the washing up, the sideways glances fit to kill that would be exchanged. The dogs would be exhausted from being taken for a walk every 5 minutes just so whoever was taking them could get some peace. No thank you.
I know Christmas for a lot of people is a time for a great family get together, it’s a time for putting aside differences, a time of forgiveness, a time for joy and peace.
I know Christmas for a lot of people means the excitement of getting just the right present for that special someone.
I know Christmas for a lot of people is a time of laughter and fun, partying and revelling.
But for some people Christmas can be a lonely time, a painful time. I’m one of those people, I hate Christmas with a passion, I never get to spend Christmas with the people I want to spend it with, it exaggerates just how alone I am (yes I have my daughter, but she spends Christmas with her father). I don’t have mountains of shopping to do, to me Christmas Day is just another day. I’ve got used to it over the years and it bothers other people that I am alone more than it bothers me, to be honest. I help my daughter buy gifts for her father and his family, but my daughter and I don’t exchange “Christmas Presents” it’s too painful to sit here on Christmas morning on my own and open my present, we spend a day together after Christmas, doing what we do best shopping for clothes. I look forward to after Christmas.
I guess what I’m trying to say, is, while you are getting all excited about the holiday and you are extending seasons greetings to those you meet, just remember not everyone finds this time of year a “Season to be jolly”, not everyone has got caught up in the “buzz” of the season, not everyone is able to collapse in a heap feeling tired but happy they have got their mega shopping list all crossed off, not everyone can look forward to a great day amongst family and friends.
And although we don’t mean to be “party poopers”, and we do try to be jolly and full of festive cheer, it isn’t always easy to do. (actually I fall about laughing watching everyone else stress out) So if someone you know isn’t getting into that “party mood”, don’t dismiss them as “miserable party poopers”, or “scrooge” we simply don’t have a reason to get caught up in it all. Say a little prayer for them, give them a hug, take an hour out of your shopping schedule to have coffee with them, arrange to have lunch or dinner with them during the “festive” season. If you know someone who is alone spend a little time with them sometime during the holidays. It doesn’t have to be on Christmas Day in fact it’s probably better if it isn’t Christmas Day, don’t dismiss them out of hand, some of us are on our own because of circumstances outside our control and although it is hard we do our best to get caught up in your excitement.
Blessings and Merry Christmas to you all.