Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME
Childhood memories. Not all are good, but some are. I like to think of the good memories, like my grandpa playing his fiddle. (Yes he really did.) My grandmas meat kabobs. (Made with lamb and pork, battered and deep fried. She is too old to make them now, but my mom has her recipe for them. One day I will get it from her and try to make them myself.) Me and my mom baking Christmas cookies. My dad inviting me out with him to shovel snow and paying me 5 dollars each 2 weeks to help. (That was a lot of money in those days.) Going to my aunt Shirley's, and uncle Paul's house for skidoo and coco parties with their neighbors kids. (I only got to go a couple times but treasure them all.) There never were a lot of presents, and none were ever expensive but that did not matter. They were treasured by me. My most treasured two gifts of all were hand made. A jewelry box hand made by my grandpa, and a wooden chain he carved that I keep inside it. He is long gone now, but I still have them and will treasure them always. As a kid every year I would get a pair of hand made mitts from my grandma and an inexpensive but nice colored sweater as well. She never could afford much. She had 10 grand kids at the time (More later) and 5 kids of her own to buy for. Another gift I treasured was a "walking" doll my god mother gave me. She was about 3 feet high. My mom still has her packed away safe some ware. All those memories to me are precious. And to me, that is what Christmas does for me.
In later years, we would go to service on Christmas morning. And during the days before Christmas we volunteered at the Christmas Cheer drive to collect toys and gifts for kids and teens. And helped at the food bank. I always had fun doing that.
Now I live almost 2000 miles from my parents. I have no kids, but live with my brother and sister, and 10 very special and mushy affectionate kitties who we all dote on. They will get kitty toys and treats this Christmas. Nothing expensive, but they will still love it. Tomorrow my sister and I are going to start baking cookies for the season. We still have some traditions we follow. On the 24th we will open our presents (nothing expensive) as is traditional with most German households. We will invite our neighbors over, and give them a small plate of cookies, and they will do the same with us.
And I will listen to my favorite Christmas movies:
Charlie Browns Christmas
The Polar Express
Madagascar and its Christmas special with the penguins.
And I will listen to Christmas music. Including music from this free link. It brings back many memories of my childhood.
A Charlie Brown Christmas.
http://music.download.com/acharliebrownchristmasbyvinceguaraldi/3600-10611_32-100975320.html?tag=MDL_door_playlist
I hope you like it.
Hugs.
Have a safe and pleasant Christmas.
Childhood memories. Not all are good, but some are. I like to think of the good memories, like my grandpa playing his fiddle. (Yes he really did.) My grandmas meat kabobs. (Made with lamb and pork, battered and deep fried. She is too old to make them now, but my mom has her recipe for them. One day I will get it from her and try to make them myself.) Me and my mom baking Christmas cookies. My dad inviting me out with him to shovel snow and paying me 5 dollars each 2 weeks to help. (That was a lot of money in those days.) Going to my aunt Shirley's, and uncle Paul's house for skidoo and coco parties with their neighbors kids. (I only got to go a couple times but treasure them all.) There never were a lot of presents, and none were ever expensive but that did not matter. They were treasured by me. My most treasured two gifts of all were hand made. A jewelry box hand made by my grandpa, and a wooden chain he carved that I keep inside it. He is long gone now, but I still have them and will treasure them always. As a kid every year I would get a pair of hand made mitts from my grandma and an inexpensive but nice colored sweater as well. She never could afford much. She had 10 grand kids at the time (More later) and 5 kids of her own to buy for. Another gift I treasured was a "walking" doll my god mother gave me. She was about 3 feet high. My mom still has her packed away safe some ware. All those memories to me are precious. And to me, that is what Christmas does for me.
In later years, we would go to service on Christmas morning. And during the days before Christmas we volunteered at the Christmas Cheer drive to collect toys and gifts for kids and teens. And helped at the food bank. I always had fun doing that.
Now I live almost 2000 miles from my parents. I have no kids, but live with my brother and sister, and 10 very special and mushy affectionate kitties who we all dote on. They will get kitty toys and treats this Christmas. Nothing expensive, but they will still love it. Tomorrow my sister and I are going to start baking cookies for the season. We still have some traditions we follow. On the 24th we will open our presents (nothing expensive) as is traditional with most German households. We will invite our neighbors over, and give them a small plate of cookies, and they will do the same with us.
And I will listen to my favorite Christmas movies:
Charlie Browns Christmas
The Polar Express
Madagascar and its Christmas special with the penguins.
And I will listen to Christmas music. Including music from this free link. It brings back many memories of my childhood.
A Charlie Brown Christmas.
http://music.download.com/acharliebrownchristmasbyvinceguaraldi/3600-10611_32-100975320.html?tag=MDL_door_playlist
I hope you like it.
Hugs.
Have a safe and pleasant Christmas.
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
Sorry it's like that with you. I used to do that to, till I realized I was only making it worse for myself. Even tho I have a lot of painful memories, (My dad was an alcoholic and would always drink.... a lot!) there were also a few good ones. In all my 40 + years, the ones I mentioned here are the only truly good memories I have of any time. That is what makes them so special.