Thanks and have a great Thanksgiving

51percent, big hug. I'm glad you're still here with us.

mujicaptsd: Thank you for this post. My thanksgivings have been all different ever since I remember. It's more the mixed messages I got as a child, being in this religion that's not supposed to celebrate it, but at the same time "it just so happened that we have turkey for dinner". That happened many times. Since I send that religion to hell I've had all kinds of Thanksgivings, from friends, to strangers, to charity, to nothing, to just a turkey sandwich, to sad, drunk and pathetic.

This year I have no idea. Don't want to make any decisions since I am not in the mood to deal with anything. I'm to snappy to trust my judgement.

In any event, HAPPY THANKSGIVING. We're certainly not alone. I'm very grateful to have you all.

Wow, 51percent, you went through some ordeal. I can only imagine how your mother must have been in some kind of psychotic episode when she put you in the oven like that. And you three years old, with only that much experience behind you in order to put some kind of context to it and try to make some meaning of it. I really admire how hopefully and wisely you post here. It shows you really did make meaning out of such a hostile and bizarre act. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving, despite the memories it can't help but bring. Your words here really mean a lot. Blessings!

Thanks...I'm spending it alone as i have been since i'm around 12............No biggie.
I'm used to it.

Happy thanksgiving Muji. While I won't actually be all alone this year, it's still along ways from where I began on this journey. Life's funny like that, heh?

I'm thinking of you and all of us here at DS and sending both thanksgiving and love.

~ Nick

Let me add my well wishes too for everyone. Holidays carry so many memories and expectations.

I am happy for all of you who will be celebrating.

This year I can't even try. Am eating turkey dogs for my big meal and using my strength to wish others the best.

I'm gonna eat a 7-11 sandwhich and juice. who cares.....:)

Nothing wrong with no celebrating a thing.

Thanks, everybody. I'm halfway through it and have enjoyed myself overall. I had some PTSD flashbacks this afternoon, but got through and returned to socializing and laughing by dinner time. I've noticed I tell people about you guys a lot. It's amazing here, and the literal "daily strength" from here extends to the rest of my life. Blessings, all!

I get what you're saying about pain & feeling the pain there, 51percent. Heal well.

Thank you for your post. I was pleasantly alone this year for Thanksgiving due to my PTSD, agoraphobia, etc. Now I have inspiration to take a baby step this Christmas and see how I do. I just wasn't strong enough Thursday to get through it with others and triggers. Thank you for sharing your success! BTW, this is my 1st post/comment to this Board or any board! :) Baby steps, for sure....equal to huge strides. Keep on keeping on!

Good for you, kobialikat! And thanks for encouraging me. Having done a public Thanksgiving, I'm actually thinking about a private Christmas. I'm more clear about how neither one is good or bad, just me giving myself what I want and need. Whatever I choose, I don't have to feel guilty or antisocial or like a misfit failure who can't get along with others. The validation here from folks has been incredible on that point. Blessings!

51percent, thanks so much for validating my plan to have me-time for Christmas. In my case, I was physically abused by family on Christmas, so this year, after a public Thanksgiving, to keep focused on the meaning of Christmas for me it was my choice not to spend it with others.

I'm sorry the memory of your being violated at age 5 arises when at the same time you're enjoying your grandchild who has reached that age. For me it happened at age 10. For that and other traumas that followed for years I chose sterilization so I wouldn't have children. It ensured my stopping cycles of violence passed down on both sides of my family tree. I don't have a relative who wasn't abused. I know my choice of sterilization was extreme, but I made the choice with the advice of therapists and after years of consideration.

I don't regret it on the one hand, and on the other hand I don't mention it here to recommend it or to give anyone ideas. It was just my choice. But I do love kids in the healthiest way, and so I cheer for those of you who've had them and who now even have grandkids! Enjoy, knowing you can lean on us here as to any painful thoughts it might bring back. Blessings!

51percent, I read the hard parts of your story and am so sad, such as when I learn about the pillow being held over your face as you were raped at age 5. It's awful. By the same token, I literally broke out into a smile when I read you tell about you and your husband having children yourselves. Thanks, then, too, for validating my choice of sterilization. It's great to make that choice and still be connected to you and yours. These conversations we have here are precious to me because they validate whole ranges of life experience. You're right: the holidays shouldn't hurt.

GREAT for stepping out and I get to anxious if I am alone on holiday's



ladydi1961