The Holiday Season
Yes I know I’ve posted this before. I will continue to post it each year about this time as a reminder.
With the holiday season coming up, there will be many people whose only company over the āfestiveā season will be those they find in the rooms on this site. They have no family, no friends, or at least none who have time for them at this time of year.
So if you happen to come in here over the holiday and find someone sat in a chat room, donāt be too quick to run off back to your friends, family and festivities. Stay, talk for, oh, say 5 minutes, before you run off.
You might just make that personās day. You might just save that personās life.
Always remember that the holiday season is also the suicide season.
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Taken on board Way……..you are so right……….any day must be so depressing without family and friends……….I wont be at home Christmas day………..but I will be where there are numerous computers………..and I will most certainly be logging in .Christmas greetings to you Way. xx
Thank you Way, for your annual reminder, tis a great and much needed and very appropriate reminder. Think it is also important to remember, that even if not suicidal, this is a high depression time of year; therefore, everyone may not be as jubilant as we may be. In the past, per your reminder, I have offered to private chat with chatters, so we could talk about what they wanted or eliminating something they did not, outside the chat room. Again ty Way. HS xxx
Thanks for this, Way. It’s so important to keep in mind, that there are many people who are alone this holiday season, and throughout the year, in fact. Let’s all keep this in mind, everything that Way has taken the time to write out here. Let’s really take the time to be aware of others… take time to reach out to someone, if they are a bit quiet, and really “listen” and respond to someone in the chat room or anywhere on site. Consider how much difference we can make in someone’s day, in their life!
I wish all of you here on Senior Chatters a wonderful, happy day, every day. xx
Great and much needed blog. It needs to be remembered all year, and maybe we could tone down the jubilation in groups. A lot of people aren’t jubilant or celebrators for an assortment of reasons. T
Thanks way. Nice reminder.
But I disagree with you rose. I don’t see why jolly holiday chatters should tone down their enthusiasm. On the contrary, I think it cheers us up. If anyone is sad or depressed the last thing they need is others tip toeing around being quiet.
I will be alone and sad, but between movies to entertain me, I will be popping in for drinks, balloons and party hats. š š š
Cheers to all the happy chatters who keep SC alive !!!
Thanks, PollyPie… you just made me smile ~ even bigger. š
PolliePie
I speak for myself and many others and you speak for yourself and maybe others you may know. I personally try to avoid the commercialism of Christmas and would like to focus on peace and goodwill and people sharing in the home and not all stressed out and running to stores etc.. Both my parents died on Dec 11th and Christmas has never been the same since.
Living so far from relatives has been difficult to me for the 14 years we’ve lived here in the Rio Grande Valley. I could easily go home for Christmas but the thought of my husband working and coming home during the holidays to an empty home is heartbreaking.
I couldn’t help but reply to this blog as I refuse to let anything get me down during the holidays. I’ve spent plenty a Christmas’ alone since my husband works and/or is usually on call and gets called in during many holidays.
I didn’t cook last Christmas because he was working three 12 hour shifts in a row, by the way. Cooking a huge Christmas meal would have been left uneaten because he spent most of his time off ~ sleeping. I remember him telling me that he would not have enjoyed the food because he would be so tired.
Last Christmas started off sad as I was alone most of the day because hubby worked a 12 hour shift. I remember thinking… what am I going to do on such a long day. I travelled to the nearest city and found a Cracker Barrel (restaurant) opened on Christmas Day. I was elated. I walked in and asked if there was a corner for a lonely person. š I was seated by the fireplace and was made to feel so very welcome. Enjoyed the meal and strolled around their ‘store’ section and bought an ornament. It was an enjoyable time which I will never forget.
I’m going to be alone again this year on Christmas Day. I think I am getting use to this. I know that I will always find a place to eat, thank God.
I have this gift of life, and with it, its time to light my Christmas candle. It is time to take myself out for a meal in a welcoming place… again.
After all, one of the greatest aspects of being alive is loving yourself. The commandment says love others as you would yourself. But in this case, everyone is gone but you still have yourself to love. Being alone on Christmas does not mean slipping into a lone spot. The cliche ālife is what you make itā should ring a bell here, and one ought to wake up and make oneās Christmas a merry one.
Beautifully stated, Pam.. and a wonderful perspective on the holiday & life in general. Way, thank you for the reminder about the chat room. I know there are many times I see just one or two in the room and don’t bother going in.. hadn’t really resonated w/ me that they may be waiting for a little convo and someone to show they care. Good blog.
Thank you Way,for the reminder, it,s so easy to get caught up with festivities, at this time of the year, in our own families , and friends, I ,for one will, before church Christmas Eve, as usual be helping to organise festive hot food for the homeless and less fortunate in our home town, with many other willing hands., and its certain that I will come into chat Christmas morning as I have done for the past couple of Christmases and chat with the ONLY,S ,as i call our friends and chatters, .so once again my dear friends and fellow chatters, have a wonderful Christmas and a bright and fulfilling New Year..(((( xxx.hugs))) Lani 2013.
MERRY X-MAS TO YOU ALL
Thanks for the reminder Way. š
well said waylander tis the season not to be selfish
Way, thank you for the reminder! If I’m not stuck on the doorway after eating that day… I’ll join in to chat. š So very thoughtful of you.
very nice blog way, and so very true!!
i will be in and out of chat on christmas day, so anyone who wants to talk, i will be listening xxx
I have always opened my home to those without a place to go on
Christmas. The more people the merrier I say! I love to share the reason for the season with those who don’t have anyone to share it with. If you find yourself in Wisconsin this Christmas…Please come over and share in our dinner. Merry Christmas to all….