Always feel sort of forlorn at Christmas

[Chrisrear]

Does anyone else ever? Obviously, this year even more so, I adore Christmas but it often brings up a strange, sad feeling 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can relate to this, as a child we had lovely Christmases with Grandparents around etc, my Mum was also really good at doing the hostess side of Christmas. We only had one Grandparent around when my kids were young, my DMIL, sadly she died though when they were 7 and 4. My Dad wasn't around at all cause he was with his partner who hated Christmas and didn't want to be involved with his family. Also we're not a bisto family, v cynical older boy who doesn't really join i things, boys noow 13 and 10. I learnt a few years ago to take the positives each year and accept that there will be a few negatives, bits of tension etc. This year however, whilst its sad that we cant go up to see my Sister and the boys cousins cause of Covid, we are having a zoom call later that will involve my Dad. His partner has gone into a care home and he is living in sheltered accommodation near my Sister, he stayed with us for a couple of months prior to this so we have had some quality time together. Usually I have a quick phoned call with my Dad and his partner would always huff and puff, I know its not fair to describe it like that as she has dementia just big bad history. Its ironic that a zoom call will be the best bit of Christmas I've spent with my Dad in Christmas year. I know some people have such awful situations to deal with. Lets all (if we can) try a raise a glass to the positives. Merry Christmas all x

@DecemberSun

The Welsh have a word for it.

That's beautiful

I never had a nice Christmas as a kid due to neglect and domestic abuse. I often find Xmas difficult and get a real feeling of foreboding and anxiety and I can only attribute it to this
I try really hard for my kids in the hope they too won’t feel like this. I often wonder what it would’ve been like to have a carefree and magical time

I was up and down and then I watched a YouTube video someone made for a dead parent about C-19
God it set me off . Very stark
Had a good old weep 😪

@CrotchBurn

Totally.

Nostalgia for times gone by.

A creeping sense that these happy family celebrations will one day fade away as people pass

Its subconscious but has always been a part of Christmas for me.

Omg I always feel like this and can never quite put my finger on it... or explain why I feel emotional at Xmas but this is exactly it!

I get this too. The slightest thing makes me burst into tears, whereas every other day of the year I’m pretty thick-skinned. Just so many memories & emotions swirling around, too much to cope with really.

Well, today we have also been waiting for track and trace to call having got a positive test result yesterday. Yay!

I'm proud to have introduce the concept of hiraeth to so many people who didn't know about it.

It is the perfect word.

I have really happy memories of Christmasses as a child. My parents made it a wonderful time for us. Since my DF died I am aware of feeling low in the lead up but still enjoy the day with siblings. Earlier this year my DM died and Christnas has left me grieving openly for my parents and for times gone by.

This is why I think Christmas is for children.

As a little one I remember such happy Christmases with my granny. I miss her more each christmas that passes. As I grew older my parents seemed unable to function properly as adults at Christmas and had enormous rows. I want to avoid this for my children