Who has time for homework today? I know that tomorrow will dawn, my family is all in one place, thankfully. There will be those last minute things to do and there will be little time to think beyond those things.

So just for a moment, a short moment take time to consider the reason for the season. Hug your families and friends. Say a prayer for those who are absent from their families this Christmas, for those who may be facing the loss of a family member. And then celebrate your joys.

Cathy

The service dh and I went to yesterday was a wonderful celebration of a very special lady and it included her favorite Christmas songs for all to sing. I can just imagine her and all her friends and family that were waiting for her having the best tea party ever...she was such a wonderful hostess.

The service and seeing family and old friends reminded us that it is important to stay in touch with those we love. Sometimes we get so involved in ourselves that we forget to touch base with those around us.

Last night we had our first progressive dinner. It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas eve, eve! We have a group of new friends this year and it was a great way to get to know them better.

Tonight I don't have to do any cooking for the first time in years....what a relief. We will go to the Children's Mass and then to my brothers. Tomorrow morning we go to my parents and then off to dh's family. It will be a fabulous season!!!

My prayers go out to all of you! I hope that each of you has a very special Christmas. May we all remember the reason for the season and have a happy heart and not a scrouge heart. Everyone tries so hard this time of year and it is easy to let one mistake get us into a grumpy mood....let it roll off of you and celebrate the light!

My heart and soul goes out to those who have "lost" a loved one this year or ever. It is not a feeling that goes away ever. My mother died in January....and nothing about this season or year has been easy to bear. I've gone through ups remembering the joys of being her daughter and the downs knowing I can't pick up the phone and call her. My father is in the same boat as many spouses whose partner has died...he is not wanting to "celebrate" anything....I am thankful my brother and sil and their families will be with him for relief from some of the hurt.

What do we do with the hurt and pain? We live with it, we celebrate it (which sounds weird) we mourn with it. I know that my mom would have wanted it Christmas as usual. She would have allowed the kids (even in the late teens and 20's) to have a piece of candy before breakfast, she would have made ham puffs for dinner and complained about how much work they were, so I am doing the same. Why? because it makes me feel as if she is still here in body --- not just spirit. So feel the feelings that you do, happy, sad, mad or glad. Allow others to do the same. Time doesn't heal all things, I don't think, it just makes the sting a little less.

God calls many people home at this time of year, he needs a choir of angels to ring in the season...although my mom couldn't see, she always wanted to, and now I believe she can and is.

Mary Jo
I know just what your family is going through, especially your fil since it is his first Christmas without her. My husband went into a coma on Christmas Eve (1980) and was brain dead by New Year's Day. Six years later his father had a heart attack and died on New Year's Day. The holidays are always very hard on my mil. The very fact that it happened on a holiday rather than an ordinary non-holiday day of the year means it can never slip by un-noticed.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrenauMom,

Tough week for us, particularly my husband and his dad and two brothers. Losing my mother in law, only 7 months ago. It really has not been long and the holidays seemed to come up on us very quickly. She was only 58. I know my father in law is not going to want to come home with any of us, yet I know how painful it will be for him alone. Just want to get through Christmas and New Years and then hopefully all of our emotions will settle.

I'm definitely more focused on the emotional aspect of the season this year. So far so good, dad is home and feeling well, hopefully he'll be home through Christmas. And his last round of Chemo is next week, so we are in the home stretch. Sending my love to all of my CT family members too. You've all been a huge support for me this year.

Laurie