Hello my Friends old and new for alot of us the Holidays are just the worst. We just wish we could take on giant sleeping aide washed back with a bottle of wine and wake up on Jan 2nd and just go back to work. I remember the Christmas in my home with my husband and children were always spectacular!!! The Decorations, The Baking, The Wrapping, Stuffing Stockings, Popcorn and Christmas Movies, Always having to have the Biggest Tree on the Lot.....When a Divorce happens or a spouse abandons the family as what happened in my case one day he was there sitting at the dinner table complementing me on my awesome cooking skills, the next day while I was at work and the kids were at school he packed up all his stuff threw it in his truck and drove away. When we got home we thought we were robbed at first until I realized it was only his stuff missing.

My kids and I had to leave our beautiful home and move into a small apt with the three of us 2 dogs and a cat. No room for a Tree unless we moved the couch out. No dining room for Christmas Dinner, No where to hang Christmas Lights, all in all PRETTY CRAPPY!!!! How can we celebrate Christmas we have NOTHING!!!!! I did not make much money at all so my daughter dropped out of college and worked full time to help us.
Even our loving Sammy our family pet for 18 yrs passed away and most of our things were in storage because there was no room for them. So there I was with my GIANT BOTTLE OF WINE READY TO CRACK IT OPEN AND SLEEP THROUGH IT. ...TOO MUCH I CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT HIM, HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO US, AFTER 23 YEARS OF WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASONS IT'S COME TO THIS!!! Please God give me a reason to smile, give me a reason NOT to open this bottle of wine and just give up........Please Lord Please I CAN'T DO THIS HELP ME...

Then my little boy came into my room and said it's "December 1st mommy time to start getting ready for Christmas like WE ALWAYS DO AS A FAMILY." I said " It's not the same baby all our stuff is in storage and we have no room for anything here " " Mommy we can just go get some of the stuff and a small tree it doesn't matter if dad isn't here YOU WERE THE ONE WHO MADE CHRISTMAS BEAUTIFUL FOR US ALWAYS " It was YOU mom. " So everything will be smaller but the most important thing is that we are all together and even though we don't have much alls I want for Christmas is Mom to smile again and bake Sugar Cookie cut outs with me. At that moment I got up out of bed washed my face, brushed my hair and teeth and put that Giant bottle of wine in my closet. Austin and I drove to the storge unit found some boxes that said x-mas decorations, baking sheets, and lights. Drove to the store bought sugar, vanilla,red and green sprinkles, butter, baking powder, cream ect.... and went back to our little apt. We spent the day decorating and baking cookies he called his older brother and sister and told them to come over mom was singing, baking, smiling and laughing again.

It was the best day we had in a year we still talk about that 1st Christmas without him in our litle apt and how we never felt closer as a family that one year, than all the 23 before...... My friends I know some of you are financially hurting, emotionally hurting, and just want to open that giant bottle of wine and give up. Remember the best Christmas Present you can give your children is the GIFT OF YOU!!! So if there isn't much money or space make do with what you have and always stop to appreciate what the Season is really about. Jesus is the reason for the Season. Have Faith in God, and have Faith in yourself and your children will see your strength and follow your lead. Even though I know it's hard try to enjoy the season even if it's in the smallest way. My friend is coming over next week to bake a few things with me and my children and I along with her are going to take them to our local women and childrens center to give to those even less fortunte than us. The gift of Compassion and Love of others is what I want to give my Children this year. Even though their own father my husband of 23 years has showed us no compasion or love WE ARE STILL LOVING, CARING, GOOD PEOPLE HE COULD NOT TAKE THAT FROM US!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
I'm sending you all BIG BIG DISNEY HUGS,
T
One more thing that Giant bottle of wine still sits unopened in my closet as a reminder of where I was and how far I have come with the love and support of friends here on Daily Strength and in my life. You will make it too.....