A Holiday Thought from someone with no living family - Page 3

trojangal · #31 12-22-2004, 06:19 AM

James,

What a sweet letter...thanks so much for writing this.

I wish my hubby could see this. He and his brother lost their mother to cancer right before Christmas in 1989 and their dad in 1996.

Today we are road tripping to Tampa to see his brother and spend Christmas with them. It means more than ever now because brother-in-law just had polyps removed that turned out to be precancerous.

God bless all of you, and hold on to them tight.

James, hugs to you. You are a vital part of our GC family!

wrigley · #32 12-22-2005, 10:53 AM

I was looking up old holiday threads and this one bears bumping up. It's a reminder of sorts for me to be a little more kinder, patient, and understanding when it comes to family.

PM_Mama00 · #33 12-22-2005, 11:38 AM

I agree with everyone in here. My whole extended family used to get together for every holiday... Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years. Every family had a designated holiday to do at their house but we were always together. Then when my cousins started having kids, they started celebrating on their own. Those were some of my favorite memories, and now they're gone. I used to love the holidays but now I kinda dread them.

My aunt passed away in March so it'll be weird not visiting her or her visiting us. We did spend a nice last New Year's Day together last year, playing cards and joking around. This year for Christmas Eve it's just me and my parents. We won't even have a normal Christmas Eve dinner. I'm gona miss those days.

MysticCat · #34 12-22-2005, 11:49 AM

One of the wisest posts I've ever seen on GC.

Merry Christmas, James!

Here's hoping everyone finds the real meaning in whatever holiday they may be celebrating.

honeychile · #35 12-22-2005, 12:08 PM

Thank you, James - that was so moving and profound! I see you live in PA. If you'd like to join our family for Christmas, you're more than welcome to join us.

My daddy died 3 1/2 years ago, and how I regret the kvetching I did on What in the World to Get Him!! I'd do almost anything to think of something other than a blanket of roses for his grave. My mother's health started going downhill about a year later, and my uncle's too weak to leave the house for Christmas. I used to tease that we could have a family reunion in a linen closet, but it's not so funny anymore...

Our family has grown by one dog, one very loving, cute, and funny dog who has brought us - especially my mother! - a world of joy. He is seriously keeping my mother going!

Thank you again, James, for your lovely thoughts, and making me think about what I have, instead of have not. You've blessed my Christmas already!

PS - and I'm sincere about dinner. We're low key, high calorie when it comes to holiday dinners, but if you think you could handle that, PM me.

#36 12-22-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTW

And James, I know that we don't get along, but I just wanted you to know that this is one of my most favorite threads ever and I enjoy reading it every year.

Time for the annual bump.

Years later, still one of my most favorite threads ever -- and everyone on GC should have the chance to read/re-read it.

Happy Holidays, GreekChat.

aggieAXO · #37 12-22-2006, 11:54 PM

I have missed this thread the last few years. Thank you James for reminding us what Christmas is all about. I usually have to work the holidays. This year I will be taking Chrsitmas off. Unfortunately, my grandmother died 2 months ago-it is sad that I did not get to spend time with her last Christmas. My family is shrinking and to put it frankly-it sucks. I will not get another Christmas off for many years (unless I quit my job) so I plan to enjoy this one as much as possible.

Merry Christmas everyone. Please stay safe.

Jimmy Choo · #38 12-23-2006, 01:14 AM

This post is soooo touching!! As someone who also has no living parents I can relate to what James was saying in his original post. Best wishes to James and all of GC this season!

honeychile · #39 12-23-2006, 02:47 AM

James, the offer is still good, and the rum balls are about 190 proof. Let me know if you care to join us - sincerely! Honey

Tom Earp · #40 12-23-2006, 05:07 PM

Thank you so much for the bump!

It is hard to type with tears in ones eyes.

Christmas as we know today is for the kids, but for us that have lost people, it is a time of rememberence of those that we have lost.

Think of them just smiling down upon us and saying, hey mother/father, I guess we did not do to bad of a job in raising them.

God Bless one and all.

KSigkid · #41 12-23-2006, 05:26 PM

This has been such a crazy year; a number of family members passing away, and my own health scare (which turned into heart surgery over the summer, and nearly having a code blue called on me in recovery). Now I'm healthy, in law school, and a first-time homeowner. Talk about a roller coaster.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season with their loved ones.

Tom Earp · #42 12-23-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSigkid

This has been such a crazy year; a number of family members passing away, and my own health scare (which turned into heart surgery over the summer, and nearly having a code blue called on me in recovery). Now I'm healthy, in law school, and a first-time homeowner. Talk about a roller coaster.

Hope everyone has a great holiday season with their loved ones.

Hey Dude, a life saved is good especially when it is yours!

That is a Plus in any book!

Back at You for a fine Holiday, You desireve it!

cutie_cat_4ever · #43 12-23-2006, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

James, the offer is still good, and the rum balls are about 190 proof. Let me know if you care to join us - sincerely! Honey

Thanks for bumping this thread

It actually brought tears to my eyes.

Happy Holidays everyone and cherish your time with everyone you love

AKA_Monet · #44 12-24-2006, 10:46 PM

My family is living and I although I have yet to have clue about what its like to have an immediate family member pass, I was taught a long time ago that while alone you develop your own "family" traditions.

Now, my husband barely celebrates the Holidays, where we barely see any immediate family members, we are thankful to each other. And we are developing our own "family" traditions...

I purchase exotic meats for him to eat: i.e. Alligator Snapping Turtle or Bear Bacon... I just got him some pricey Kobe tenderloin for him...

And I'm a vegetarian.

It's one of the best Christmases I've had in a long time!

dekeguy · #45 12-24-2006, 10:56 PM

In keeping with this rather wonderful thread may I offer a toast:

To Present Company and Absent Friends!

Thank you, James, for reminding us what all of this is really all about.

Thank you, all GCers who have contibuted to the thoughts expressed in this thread.