And so, this is Christmas.

The silly season is upon us.  Christmas carols are playing constantly in the shops. We’re being bombarded by advertising to buy things for our loved ones.

People rushing around to buy everything that they think is needed to have a wonderful Christmas with their friends and family.

For so many though, Christmas isn’t a time of happiness.

Stress beyond all measure.

Putting up with family members that you only see once a year, but whom you can’t stand and for some reason you’re expected to get on with them.
Family feuds rear their heads, arguments happen, unkind words are said and some can never be forgotten.

Fissures in families that can never be healed, then Christmas comes around again and there is always someone that wants to have the ‘happy family’ day and don’t understand why you can’t just let bygones be bygones.

Then there is sadness.

Those that have been left us, whether babies, children, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, partners or friends.

Personally, I have lost five close family members at this time of year all within a week before or after Christmas.

Then we have loneliness.

Those that don’t have family around them for whatever reason, and they don’t like to impose on their friends who are having the big Christmas.

Don’t be hard on yourselves. Spend Christmas the way that you want to, the way that will bring you peace.

If that is by yourself, then that’s fine and don’t let others try and force you to do something that you don’t want to do.

You’re allowed to say no and you don’t have to explain why.

Don’t feel pressured to do what you don’t want to do, if there are people that you don’t want to associate with, then don’t.

If this time of year brings you sadness, remember your loved one/s with a toast and share some fond and funny memories.

They’ll be around there watching you and having a laugh right along with you.

For those that know that their friends don’t have anyone, invite them over.

Don’t pressure them, they may want to be alone for whatever reason.  But make sure that they are more than welcome and in fact wanted and then leave the final decision up to them.

But to everyone. Thank you.

Thank you for being such an amazing part of my Facebook family.

Joining in the laughter and stupidity.

For baring your souls to strangers but most importantly, thank you so much for being there for others.

Encouraging them, sharing in their sadness and laughter, showing support for people that you’ve never met.

My page would be nothing without all of you being such an integral part of it.

Merry Christmas to each of you. I hope that your day is what you wish it to be.

Let’s make 2018 the year of really living.
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