Anyone else not like this time of year?

[El Coyote]

Ugh right there with you PB, being divorced with kids and holidays it sucks.....but makes the other time sweet!!! The sweet is that much sweeter when you have tasted the bitter...

[Pushbutton2]

I really love your replies!
I'm a Christian. But don't always act like one.

My families in Iowa, hers is in Texas and Michigan. We have major bad blood between us.

My inner circle of friends seems to have disavowed me.

I'm heavy laden and see no rest.

I also know all things work to the good for those who who love The Lord.

Eph 2:8 tells us to glory in tribulations.

[eltacs]

MANY YRS - I hated this time of the year.
I finally put it ALL in GOD's HANDS.

(PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO TALK)

This is what I fall back on :

PSALM 23

The Lord is my dshepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He grestores my soul.
He hleads me in paths of righteousness2
for his jname's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my scup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
uforever.

[cgny27]

I'm so proud of the GS openly talking about the amazingness that is knowing our Lord...

OP...there's good people here with some solid advice...and I bet you'll find some folks who've walked a similar path...don't hesitate to reach out an accept the offers...and count me in...

Chris

[Johnny]

Listen to SaltwaterSlick...a very very wise man and has been down the river.

I've lost loved ones along the way and miss them very much this time of year. I also came down with GBS (Guillian Barre' Syndrome...look it up) right before Christmas of 2001. Instead of dwelling on the negative, I wake up every morning this time of year with a hot cup of coffee, listen to Christmas music, stare into the Christmas Tree and thank our Lord and Savior for the many blessings in my life. I love this time of year.

Merry Christmas my friend...your blessings are plentiful.

[Hunter_Man]

Yep. I'm with you. I have to try really hard to not seem like a grinch. We never really celebrated Christmas growing up due to a psychotic mother, topped off by the fact I got divorced a few years ago and I miss my kids being here all the time. On top of that i feel Christmas is way too commercialized now. It's all about shopping and perfect Christmas decorations and such for so many instead of the celebration of the birth of Christ and spending time with your loved ones. It's very hard because my new wife is soooooo into this time of year and every year I'm without my kids for the holidays I'm in a pretty glum mood.

[grishw1]

It's a reminder to me of all that WAS good about family and all that WILL never be.

Sorry this time of year is a downer to you. It's the time of year I love most even when I don't get to spend it with my family. Love it just for all of the little ones that are counting down the days until santa comes. And most importantly celebrating the birth of my lord and savior.

[Green Arrow]

I boycott the holidays. Dont need a stupid holiday to spend time with my family and don't stress out about presents and traveling. People go crazy this time of year and it's all preventable.

[Fishndude]

I'm trying really hard to like this time of year. Last year was tough but we trudged ahead. Gonna do the same this year but will try to do it with a smile on our faces.

[Jayt22]

Can't stand Christmas !

[coldgas]

I dont care for gift exchanges but I love family dinners, church party, lights, and old Christmas music.

[coldgas]

I dont care for gift exchanges but I love family dinners, church party, lights, and old Christmas music.

Let me add my favorite movie "Christmas vacation"

[RascalArms]

What a great thread fellas. For me personally, I find staring into a Christmas tree to be the most relaxing and reflective time of my life...second only to a roaring camp fire!

That being said, I think it's important, before we are so quick to judge others, to consider what some are having to endure. Some may be really grieving. One thing is for certain...that if we live long enough, EACH one of us will ALL lose someone we love.

"Grief never ends but it changes...It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith...It is the price you pay for loving someone" -Author Unknown

Someone on TBH once shared this with me:

The loneliest people are the kindest.
The saddest people smile the brightest.
The most damaged people are the wisest.
All because they do not wish to see anyone else suffer the way they do. -Anonymous

Maybe this holiday season we can all try to be a little more sensitive and understanding to those whose hearts are hurting, broken and empty. Other than prayer, sometimes being sensitive to others is the only gift we can give.

[Axe Man]

One way I deal with my dislike of the season is to joke about celebrating Festivus. I tend to use humor in these types of situations. Festivus is on Dec. 23 by the way.

[Skinny]

I have a difficult time at holidays. I mean I have a wonderful family to share them with but have loved ones that are missing and I get flooded with memories that kinda bring me down. I usually just close my eyes and try to go back to when I was a kid and find that innocent feeling of laying under the Christmas tree and staring up through the lighted branches. Talk about worry free. That's what I miss most I guess. Lol.

God Bless all of you