not every Christmas is merry

[squatting dog2]

Not trying to bum people out, but, not every Christmas is/was perfect. For example... probably one of the worst Christmas's  I ever spent (not counting Vietnam 1969) was 1971. Alone in my hearse, unable to cope with the real world, cooking raisin oatmeal on a hot plate while plugged into the soda machine outlet of a gas station and wondering could it get any worse?. Didn't know a soul, and had no idea what the future held. All I can say to anyone who's feeling lonely or left out... hang in there. It will get better.    So, Merry Christmas to all you free spirits out there.
Oh yeah, never forget our vets.

 

[MrNoodly]

And then there are the un-merry Christmases I spent surrounded by plenty of people. Awful, dysfunctional. judgmental people.

 

[Gunny]

I arrived In-Country 16 Dec 1967. That was an early Christmas present. After a few days in Danang waiting to be assigned to a Battery. I arrived in Phu Bai and had just settled into my houch as it was when some crazed S/Sgt came told me I was on OP for a week until I could get sent out to my grunt unit, I was the enlisted part of a forward observer team.

So I spent Christmas Eve night and Christmas night in the company of a guy who had been in Vietnam a year and was waiting to go home and the only words he spoke to me for the first few days was "don't go to sleep, *******".

That's my number one lousy Christmas.

I hope everyone's day is going great and all have good memories of this day

Rob

 

[Queen]

Getting a call out to a three car wreck, then spending an hour cutting a car apart to free the dead child trapped inside while his parents stood by the side of the road, refusing transport, alternately screaming and falling down in their grief. Worst Christmas ever.

 

[TrainChaser]

Christmas is supposed to be a hopeful time. Sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. Try again next year.

 

[LeeRevell]

I have spent many a Christmas Day alone, as I am now. But being alone doesn't mean being lonely. Suits me.

 

[GotSmart]

Pretty small potatoes compared to many peoples woes but I was just hoping to chill for a day, do a little cooking.

Guy

Once a year ~ What would it hurt to just let her win.  Then the war does not start.  Merry Christmas.  All is quiet with the world.

 

[eDJ_]

I knew this one older women, relative of a girl I once dated,  who by the Christmas afternoon would mumble,
"Christmas,   It's as far away now as it ever was".  

I guess it was the depressive let down after the pumped up "pre-Thanksgiving thru Christmas" season revealed each Christmas by late afternoon.   I believe she looked on New Years as a youngster's Celebration as they still had energy left after the Thanksgiving & Christmas festivities.  

I used to hear this tune on he Radio from time to time that seems to sum up a lot of people's feelings.

"Blue Christmas (to whom it may concern) Bob Dorough vocals Miles Davis trumpet

 

[Vagabound]

Once a year ~ What would it hurt to just let her win.  Then the war does not start.  Merry Christmas.  All is quiet with the world.

Not applicable to anybody in particular, but I have noticed that there are people who never ever listen.  And when you call them on it, you either get brushed off, or if you're persistent, you get an emotional meltdown. And then they go immediately back to not listening again. So, for those reasons and the one mentioned above, it might make more sense to just say, "Okay, thanks for the gift.". If you don't, Groundhog Day.

But it is grating when they let what they want for you override what you want for you. A simple concept, but apparently hard to grok for some people.

Tom

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

For whatever reason I'm uncomfortable with receiving gifts on Christmas and my birthday. Besides, I've got plenty of gifts from previous special occasions that I haven't used yet (and never will). I don't want anyone paying for my dinner or drinks either. Just how I am.

My sister missed about three or four years of getting anything for me (fine with me) or my mother (not fine with me). I thought that this would be a good time to cut the cord and contacted the few people that might be tempted to "gift" me and explained that for personal reasons I would not be taking part in gift giving OR receiving from that point on.

For what ever reason, NOW, my sister sends me something every year. She just called a few minutes ago to ask if it had arrived sounding all excited until I asked why she keeps doing that since she knows I don't like it and have asked her on several occasions not to,,, silence,,, sniffles,,, I'll have to call back.....

So, now I'm the AH I guess. My Sister is all upset, I'm pissed and my mom will eventually be in the middle and upset as well.  Merry Christmas!!

Pretty small potatoes compared to many peoples woes but I was just hoping to chill for a day, do a little cooking.

Guy

I am the exact same way.  I don't like receiving gifts from anyone, don't know why but it just makes me uncomfortable opening them.    More often than not it's something I'd never use and then have to pretend i'm happy, surprised, excited, or what have you.  I have successfully ended the getting and giving of gifts from everyone in my life except my Mom.  I have given up and accepted the fact she will buy me a gift for my Birthday and Christmas for the rest of her life and I know she really appreciates when I get her one, so I will continue to do so as well.

 

[BradKW]

Since I have never had any problems or issues with receiving gifts in any form, denomination, or shape, I feel that in the interest of helping others I should offer my services as a surrogate-gift-reciever. I will accept all gifts intended for people who don't want them. It's the least I can do.

 

[Vagabound]

Same with me. I think I forgot it but Mom and I always exchange some little something. Right now I'm about to pull the roast from the oven so we can finish off this celebration.

Guy

Wow, unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii, somebody's eating awful late!   Other than that, your description of the event has caused me envy all day. ;-)

Tom

 

[slem]

So I spent Christmas Eve night and Christmas night in the company of a guy who had been in Vietnam a year and was waiting to go home and the only words he spoke to me for the first few days was "don't go to sleep, *******".

That's my number one lousy Christmas.

I hope everyone's day is going great and all have good memories of this day

Rob

I know that SSG "don't go to sleep, *******".   But my guy was the Army version at, Tent City "B", Repo-Depot, November 1967.

 

[jimindenver]

Today was pretty sucky. First Christmas with no folks to call home to. Instead got to spend the day at Ex's mothers bored and uncomfortable when I would have rather been packing. Thankfully it's the last one.

 

[Gunny]

It gets better, Jim, it's that first one that bites. Each day it gets easier. I promise. Rob

 

[One Awesome Inch]

If you don't want a material gift my suggestion is to ask for a donation to your favorite charity... red Cross etc. That way they feel good about giving you something, you don't get given junk and your charity gets much needed funding.

 

[TxLady]

Many people have learned to not love Christmas. The shopping, the spending, the crowds, the chore of decorating, when you don't have the feelings to go with it. I can remember a few sucky Christmases. One was around 1977-78 when my father left home immediately after Christmas never to return. He left my mother nearly destitute and it was almost another decade before I saw him again. Then there was the one where my mother in law was sick and made everyone else miserable too. We ended up taking her to the emergency room; she had a severe case of ulcers in her throat and they gave her enough pain medicine to keep sleeping through most of it. A few Christmases later she passed away from liver cancer 12 days before Christmas. But she was big on buying and giving and from that point forward our Christmases have been much lower key. My son spent this Christmas with his girlfriends family out of town so my husband and I did our own thing. We had a fun day together seeing sights and eating a wonderful Christmas buffet and no cleanup when we got home, just sore legs and feet from walking all day. I still missed my son. I tried to remember those who've lost loved ones and won't see them again and be thankful he's found his special lady and is happy!

 

[Txjaybird]

My family just doesn't get that there too many sad anniversaries for me between mid Oct. and Dec 27.  Two deaths, one funeral, one marriage, one divorce, birthdays of a 3 deceased loved ones, = 8 not happy days for me.  I'll not talk about the one funeral or memorial service that didn't happen, and the family drama, oh yeah there was the casket side beat down I took when I was 16ys old where it took 3 to rescue me.  I think I could do a 2mo coma if I was sure I'd wake up.

Bah Humbug and Phooey!

Jewellann

 

[Headache]

I will accept all gifts intended for people who don't want them. It's the least I can do.

Awesome!  You can have the eviction notice I was told I was going to receive next month!  Thanks buddy!

 

[sushidog]

The merriness of Christmas is not in the horrible circumstances life hands us from time to time. I'm sure everyone could add their own tragedies. I lost my brother on Christmas eve, and so on.

However, the true joy of the season is hope in the resurrection, that we may one day be reunited with lost loved ones and live with them forever in joy and peace in the next life. I realize that many here may not yet believe, but it is the celebration of the coming of my savior that gives me joy and merriment. Without this hope it would be a sad season indeed.

Chip