This my first Christmas - itis five months since Duane passed away and today in the grocery store shopping for our family Christmas Eve dinner I started to cry because I realized I was buying all the foods you loved to eat. Like you said, we will get through this holiday. wishing you a peaceful day

My heart goes out to those of you who are without your spouse at Christmas for the first time. My husband passed away the morning after Christmas almost 3 yrs. ago and his funeral was on his birthday, Dec. 28th. This is a difficult time for me but I can now find joy in my son and grandchildren in spite of the sadness. I'll still be glad when it's all over. We'll make it and it is comforting knowing wonderful DS friends are here. Wishing you all comfort and peace. Take care, Sandra

My heart also goes out to both of you, I remember that first Christmas very well. My husband died suddenly and unexpectedly 3 days before Christmas 3 years ago. This will be my 4th actual Christmas without him. It has taken quite a bit of adjusting to but I am finding joy in making my kids happy and family and friends too. I think this year is going to be much more enjoyable. I wish you both all the best. Hugs Denise

This is my first Christmas as well ~ my husband passed 4.5 months ago. It's been a very exhausting week. Our son and I are looking forward to a quiet day just the two of us, no turkey dinner. We both feel it will be too much for us, something simple yet healthy and delicious. I wish you all a safe and warm holiday. Melody :)

Your Christmas will, of course, be very different w/o your spouse, especially, the first year. The tears and sadness are going to be part of it, but, there is also still joy ~~ somewhere inside you. Try to cherish the time with family or friends, or both, and know that you are not alone in these feelings of loss. From my experience, planning ahead to do 'something' with family, friends, etc. helps immensely.

My husband died on Dec. 21st, 3 years ago, his funeral was on the 23rd, 3 yrs ago today. So, technically, this is my 4th Christmas w/o him. The first one, we were so in shock that I don't know if we can count that as Christmas or not! Well, of course, it was, and my family was surrounding me with love and grief on Christmas Eve, and Joe's family were here on Christmas Day doing the same. My children and their spouses were all here too. We suffered together and shared time and a few stories that first Christmas. Although, it was so soon after his funeral, that there were few smiles or joking happening.

Now, we can smile at things Joe did, and someone tells some story of something he did, and it seems to draw us closer together for a few minutes.

I wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a good New Year.
Hugs, Joely

This is my second Christmas and I thought I was holding up pretty well. But going out to the Mall the last couple of nights has triggered the blues. The tears have been spilling over frequently and I have that awful restless agitation tonight.

This will be my first Christmas with out my husband too. 7 months here. I am having hard time dealing also lot of blues and tears.
Cie

This is my 2nd Christmas without my husband. Last yr at this time it had only been about 9 weeks since my husband had passed away. Looking back and comparing where I was then to where I am now, I can see that I am healing. Still difficult....you bet.....but making progress.....Just trying to remember the happy times. Sad though as I go through the gift bags from previous years while wrapping things for family and friends for this year and see his handwriting on tags that he had written tfor me. So sad he's not here. Deb

Deb I have been seeing the gift tags too, and all the Christmas cards my Beloved Pat gave me. I am a dollar store gal, but he always bought me the most beautiful cards with such meaningful words. Hugs, Wendy

There are so many of you having this first Christmas without a loved one. I am sorry your hearts are hurting like mine. I lost my husband 3 months ago. I did a couple of things to help me get through this month. I planted trees in a grove in memory of my husband and made a special donation to the Cancer Hospital that treated him. At the donation ceremony, a Christmas tree was decorated with red hearts bearing the names of those remembered. These things helped me honor his memory and also made this Christmas more bearable for me.

I couldn't shop for gifts this year, but family and friends are not the least bit disappointed...instead, they are showering me with much love and attention. I feel blessed. My prayers are with all of you here. Love, Linda

Today's the 24h...it's been 2 months now since my James passed away. I had been doing ok, but the last couple of days have been really rough. Anything and everything has been setting off my emotions...crying on and off for 2 days now. I'll just be glad when Christmas is over. May we all find some kind of peace during this holiday season.
Hugs,
Jean