I wish it didn't come at the end of the year, but I love it. I wish my family didn't inflict a lot of stress on me but I love that we can still get 4 generations together from across the country. I'm on the music staff at church - last year I realized that I was at more of the Christmas programs and Masses than either of the priests - and then I realized that THAT's what makes Christmas so special - I get totally wiped out playing for all the Christmas stuff at church and then my whole family is waiting for me and it's really quite wonderful.

I just wish it didn't come at year-end when everything else is going berserk...

No pbrinker. MOML cannot stand to see me cry. When I cry, he wants to fix whatever it is so I will stop crying. And he can't bring Ma and Dad back....

Also, he never met my Ma and Dad, and both his parents are still alive, so I don't think he would cry. In fact, we are spending Christmas up north with them before we head south to Florida.

One more thing...two months ago, my doctor was discussing the possiblity of ovarian cancer with me. After numerous tests, I found out a couple of weeks ago it was just a cyst they couldn't identify earlier. While my family thinks I have the perfect life, I don't - this instance was a stark reminder of that! It also reminded me of the true "reason for the season." This year will be a bit more special to me as I am not planning my course of treatment (or my funeral!) "Thank you God for my family, my health and for all you have given me and forgive me for the days I forget how lucky I am...Amen."

After my brother passed away a few months after Christmas many years ago, I do not take anything for granted. I treat every Christmas as if it may be the last I get to spend with my family. I am very thankful that my wife and I got to take care of him on Christmas eve that year. The three of us talked all evening long and I will never forget that night. It was the last time that we got to sit around a kitchen table, drink tea, and tell stories - something we had done countless times over the years. That year I had also made a corner cupboard for my mother for Christmas and on Christmas eve after we left, he asked my mother if he could look at the cabinet I had made. Of course he was blind, so he had to examine it with only his hands, but he told my mother that I had done a good job. I think I value that comment, even though it came indirectly, more than any other compliment I have ever received.

In general I love the holidays. I love eggnog! I enjoy the parties (although after you’ve attended 12 to 15 in the first couple weeks the joy does fizzle a but). But then I thank God for eggnog. My relationship with my sweetie began on December 13th five years ago, so each year I’m thankful I’ve found the love of my life. I miss my family, and always think of my brother who has been missing for several years. I also feel a bit of sadness when we are at our closest friends home watching the little ones open gifts. This is the only time of year that I find true jealousy…of those blessed with children. But that’s why God made eggnog I guess

Every twinkling light makes me smile, and every card and hug makes my smile bigger. And every live tree and wreath makes me smile…before a go AHHHHHCHOOOOO! (I generally spend the holidays with a box of Kleenex because of my allergy to evergreen trees). But that’s why God made eggnog.

I love Christmas. I just wish everyone could remember the real reason for Christmas.

I love Christmas and I love giving gifts to my family and others. That makes me happy. At work, rather than exchange gifts we don't need, we started adopting a family in need. This year, the various departments of the bank adopted 28 local families! That is fun and truly worthwhile. Much better than grab bag gifts, etc. for me.

Stressed and depressed.

Too much to do, not enough time or resources to do it.

Family scattered all over the country.

Some well off and some not with me in the middle and unable to help the have nots as much as I would like.. very depressing.

Thoughts of good times past, friends and relatives lost, things or people that are missing in my life... very depressing.

Frankly, I can't wait till it's over.

Christmas is special to me now, because I love seeing the joy in my son's eyes. I am blessed.

I never really get into Holidays or Birthdays, or anything like that. I just don't really care. I try to get excited about it for my 6 year old. Every year ends up the same, I am running around, stressed out, trying to buy presents for people who don't really need any, trying to get to family who don't really care if we are there (but will give the biggest guilt trip if I don't go) and cleaning up all the mess that the Holiday inevitably brings about. All for a Holiday I couldn't care less about. That's why every Christmas eve I go to Rite-Aid and buy a ton of their clearance toys and then take them down to the battered womens shelter. It is the one bright spot of the season for me. Everyone else I know is immeasurably blessed with clothes on their backs, food in their stomachs and a roof over their heads. At least this really means something to me.

But in the end, I don't really care for the Holiday. Although this year is looking up! My honey is back from the Middle East safely!

Kinda of depressed. Christmas use to be so much fun, but now so many of my family are gone and I really miss them. Another reason is I don't have the funds that I once had. I still miss my ex and I guess still love him. I love the reason for the season, but just don't like the rest of the stuff that goes with it.

((((((HUGS)))))) From me to all of you that are sad or depressed. ((((((HUGS))))))

I am so sorry that you feel this way.

I love Christmas and what it represents. I am so thankful for the birth of Jesus Christ and that He came to be the savior of the world. On the other hand, as a single mother of three, its lonely. How I wish that I could have someone to share the holiday season with beside my children. I see happy couples holding hands and cuddling and I become sad. But it all passes and life begins again on Dec. 26th.

Usually Christmas is stressful, crazy, and I'm usually waiting for it to end. This year though, I'm unattached and I am having the time of my life! I did not take a date to any holiday parties and did not have to worry about someone else's entertainment or if I had introduced them to everyone. I didn't have to worry about them embarrassing me by saying/doing the wrong thing. (Obviously there is a reason I'm single again.) I am dating and meeting people. I don't have to buy presents for a set of parents/siblings that I don't know well, and I don't have to split my time between families. I know it sounds selfish and ok, it is. But I wouldn't change a thing!

Michael, it's a season of miracles.

Little story: Our transplant surgeon takes the 2 weeks before Christmas off each and every year. But never Christmas. Unfortunately, it's his busiest time of year. But he refers to it as his season of miracles.

Why should I feel stressed? This year, we did what we could for our family and friends, bought ONLY what we could afford, and made Christmas more about each other and less about THINGS. I'm facing losing both my life and my daughters life (to put it into perspective) not much else matters.

Now, don't get me wrong, the 100 Christmas cards still went out - I just bought them the first week in November and used a mail merge to make labels. And the peanut clusters still got made; I just used chocolate chips and almond bark instead of making it from scratch. And I still miss my family members that have gone before me and are not with me. But right now, at this place that I am at in my life, I NEED to concentrate on the positive things. We are not in the hospital, the bear is “relatively” healthy, I have a happy marriage, I have faith in God, and I have fantastic family and friends (OK, BOLers give yourselves a pat on the back now )!!!

Mom of Natalie Bear - you are an inspiration to us all! Sometimes we just have to put life into perspective and be thankful for all that we have. Thank you for your lovely words

I needed to read your post today, thank you so much. My son, much older than your dear daughter (he is 31!!) is struggling to stay alive, to not commit suicide and stay sober in the face of a terrible mental illness. BUT - - TODAY HE IS ALIVE and will be at our house for Christmas with his wife. Your post reminded me of this fact and put the day back into perspective. We only have today, no one knows what tomorrow will bring. Give your little one a hug and kiss from me.

And you.

I am hung over today. I'm planning on partying agin tonight and all this weekend. I guess you could say I'm truly in the American Christmas Spirit. ^_^ Bless ya all and don't do drugs!

I guess I can let my guard down, its just only my BOL friends and this is the couch. Z, Christmas time involves all emotions with me. I lost my mother during the holiday season, to cancer, in 1983. Two years ago, my best friend lost her mother to cancer on the same day! My family lives in Michigan, so I miss them terribly this time of year.

Then there's the kid in me who loves Christmas. I get to see the delight on my childs face, even though she's now 16. I volunteer and I give presents to charities around town. Of course it's just dang fun to shop.

I also get stressed. Did I buy the right gift? Did I spend too much money? Will the gift arrive in time?

Sometimes I even get mad. Mad at the commercialism of such a sacred holiday. Then I remember, oh yeah, I'm a banker, LOL!!! Making money is good.

So many emotions wrapped in one body definitely tends to lead to depression. Then I remind myself of how fortunate I am for all that I have. I can't stay depressed for too long.

Whew, that was a little long winded. Good question Z!

Wyogirl