Definitely! I've always loved Christmas, decorating, doing cookies, shopping, buying gifts, the music, church activities, etc. But this year I could care less. I'm really having a hard time getting motivated for the holiday. I just want it to be over.

I am feeling the same way. All I do is stay in the house all the time. My husband won't have anyone come in to help so we can go out because he doesn't want to make her feel like a burden. I'm totally frustrated.

OMGosh, I thought I was the only one thinking this way. I love Christmas but my husband is working out of town, so all the decorations, tree, presents, etc... don't bring a smile because I don't have him to share with. He will be home around the 20th for two weeks and then back to AZ. I hate this commuting stuff. Even for Mother's sake I've tried to hold the Christmas spirit but still cry myself to sleep at night and hope to make it through. Yikes ... where are you Christmas?????

sometimes I feel this way. this year I'm more in the spirit of it though, except for things I'm not interested in. LIke on the 28th my husbands family is all coming to our place for a family getogether. WE are the hub house because the parents live here (mom in a home, dad on his own) but by the 28th, I'd LOVE to just have some quiet alone time. Nope, the expectations will be large because I did the big thing last year, but this year I just want to be off duty. bah humbug.

the kids have rented a social room at the home so we can all have a family "party" and I asked dh "i hope no one expects something grand b/c you are calling it a Party with a capital P"

I'm just too pooped to party. I feel like opening a bag of chips & buying a bakery cake and saying "here ya go! enjoy."

This is my first year as an 'empty nester' with no kids at home, not to mention now that I have switched my schedule I WILL BE WORKING! So I am probably *not* going to get into a full blown production this year, and that is kind of nice for a change...

OMG// the thought Of it is overwelming// I set up a tree in moms room here.I have been where others here have been BIG EXPECTATIONS and tried to live up to it every year.. but Im pooped chips a soda and a movie sound good to me.Now I feel guility for feeling this way.. OH LORD.. where did the meaning of this day go.. Love D

I put the outside lights up the week before Thanksgiving and turned them on. Then I put the large tree in the front entry and 3 small trees in the living room with his Christmas Story Lamp. I have lights on the back patio, kitchen and dinette.
This will be my husbands last Christmas with me and I will not let it be sad. He had some sad ones when he was a child and so after we married it was the biggest holiday of the year. We spent money on decorations a lot of times that we really couldn't afford.
Only doing the Christmas cards are hard for me because writing bad news at Christmas is not an easy thing to do, but I must tell his prognosis.
Our first Christmas he bought me a Brownie Camera with flash, wrapped them separately in large boxes he filled with popcorn,. Every Christmas he had a great surprise for me. One year when my passion was gardening he found a short handled shovel and he and my daughter wrapped it so cleverly disguised I went crazy trying to guess what it was. With it was a generous gift certificate to the nursery. I am five feet and the regular ones broke my back. I have that shovel today and it is one of my prized possessions. Fifty nine years of marriage and I could tell you what he bought me each year.
I cannot let this be a sad one.
Hugs to everyone, Hazel

Oh Hazel! You made me cry. It is entirely possible that this may be the last Christmas with many of our loved ones and we should make it the best Christmas ever. Your love and devotion for your husband come through loud and clear. You are fortunate to have each other.

Hazel... Just "ditto" to noni's post.. I was about to say "could we just skip Christmas this year?" until I read your post and Noni's. This will be the first Christmas without my Mom.. and I realize we just never know what the next year will bring.. so I'm going to try and find a little "spirit". If nothing else, I need to for my Dad. This will be his first Christmas without his wife in about 60 years. So.. Happy Holidays! and thank you, Hazel, for inspiring us.

is this not the most loving & caring group ?
Hazel my heart goes out to you.
you will always have your beautiful memories.
you are such a strong lady.

this year will be a quite christmas for us.dh & son david
& our pet babies.
christmas eve dh & i will work at the local shelter helping with christmas dinner.
these dear people are lonely or homeless & gather to find someone to talk to & have a holiday meal.

Thank you Noni and Allison'e Mom for your kind words, they made my day.
I don't have much time for the computer now as he gets meds 8 times a day, then semethicone for gas 4 times a day and laxitives and stool softners twice a day, uses nebulizer once or twice and inhalers 7 times. I know some of you are going through this same thing. In between all that are the meals, he has to have food with four of the meds. Forget the housework!!
When I write this down and look at it I wonder how do I get it all done. But it does get done. Hugs to everyone.

Wow Hazel,
You are amazing. Even though my brother is a quadraplegic I don't think he needs quite that much care. I'm still new to this group and though I don't get much time on the computer i love to read what everyone is saying.
I have to say I have always loved Christmas but I was feeling really bleak about it as well until I decided to at least put up our "fake tree". after that I just really lit up and went for it. Having the lights up and things so festive it is hard to wallow in my normal depression. Even though dad is still in the hospital from his stroke it has made us all feel better.
Happy holidays to everyone here!

Thank you akobuki, The first thing I do when I get up feeling 'down" is turn on every light in the house. I keep a string of clear lights under the top kitchen cupboards year round. I buy them after Christmas at the sales. My day starts in that room and I do think it helps lift my mood when needed.
Hugs Hazel

HAZEL HUGS AND MORE HUGS.. I am going to string some lights today.. YOUR RIGHT.. It will bring some cheer.. take away some gloom.. and change the MOOD.. BLESS YOU ALL xoxoxo Love D

Christmas has never been the same since my husbands death, but my son and his family have made it good for mum and myself but I have barely acknowledged it outside of this. This year, however, I have my three granddaughters coming to stay after Christmas for a while so am getting at least a decent Christmas tree and starting to make an effort, but it is soooo hard, I just cant really get motivated at all, just wish it all over...