Christmas and bereavement.

[headinhands]

I've lost 2 close family members in relatively a short space of time and have another close relative in end of life care. Christmas is making me feel worse! It's all the 'happy/jolly/merry' stuff and if feels so hollow. I'm doing what I have to, putting up decorations but I've put minimal effort into presents and still have sent a single card ☺️. It's just making me feel lonely even though I'm surrounded by people. I wish more people spoke about this difficult element of Christmas.

My mum died suddenly at the end of the summer. Totally unexpected. Agree with above poster thaybgetting the card from my dad with only his name just heartbreaking. Should be mums birthday on Christmas Eve, feel like we are all facing the firsts too soon. On a train I can’t get off. Trying my best to be bright and cheery for my three dc.

I feel a bit if a fraud really, this will be our 4th Christmas without my DM. The first was awful, so very raw and I drank too much which just made me feel even worse to be honest.
It has got a little easier (the wound has healed but the scar is still there and never goes is the best way I can describe it) but I've been very tearful the last few days for no real reason than silly things like hearing a certain Christmas tune on the radio, or buying 'family' cards and looking at the Mum ones and deciding which one she would have liked.

I found the card shop really difficult - my mum loved cards & I always chose one with a nice verse. Picking a suitable 1 for my dad was a minefield too

I am sorry for your losses.
I lost my father two weeks before christmas and my husband a week before christmas. Not the same year, but I can feel the pain of others.

My DM passed away 3 days ago aged 80. We are devastated and just don’t want to do Christmas this year at all. Don’t suppose anyone has any bright ideas for just getting through 25 Dec? I’m doing a decent job of filtering Christmas out, but 25 Dec just seems an impossibly long, awful day.

I lost my sister in May. She was a huge part of my life. Since losing Mum 5 years ago Christmas has always been difficult, now it is unbearable.

There are no decorations up in my home, I just cannot be bothered. I can’t wait to go back to work.

gormless so sorry for your loss

to all who have lost someone dear

To those of us wanting to avoid Christmas i'd just Netflix some Louis Theroux documentaries or similar. Don't listen to the radio!

Just in case any of us need them over the next few days. Here's some useful phone numbers

I'm with you. Lost my grandma in April and my lovely mum in May:(

headinhands thanks..

misspilly so sorry for your loss

It's a horrible time of year. The year my brother died was so hard, if I hadn't had small children I would have tried to skip it entirely.

Finding this year impossible. Just want to wake up on January 2nd. Xx

This is our first Christmas without FIL who died in April, he was very ill last Christmas and the day was sad but this year I’m dreading it. My Granny died suddenly 3 weeks after him and I miss them both terribly.

Ditto waking up on the 2nd of January..

Thanks all. Love to you all as well. It's so hard. We have young dc so having a bit of an 'alternative Xmas' with a day out and untraditional Xmas dinner. Trying to make it special but not too xmassy.

So It's Christmas Eve (in case anyone has successfully avoided it 😉)

Thinking of you all. 🌈

Don’t I know..dreading every minute

My dad died a week past Monday, on holiday in Spain with my mum. We're still waiting for a date when his body will be repatriated so feel in limbo. I'm trying to be strong for the DC, for mum but it's hard...

Hugs confuzzled it’s very difficult..sorry for your loss

I arrived at my holiday destination and am - as predicted - lolling around lazily in the sun and reading Game of Thrones on my kindle.

It doesn’t feel like Christmas here and there are no lights or decorations up anywhere that I can see.

Just the ticket! 😎

Lost my Mum in Feb.

Been alright all day but its just hit me like a fucking train and I feel like I cant breath.

Going for a meal shortly with friends and I am a mess

I keep crying on and off today, but trying to keep a brave face in front of DM and DS(12). Not sure I will manage that tomorrow

Gah. It's Christmas Day. Thinking of you all.

Found me FB post of last year and it still applies.

Christmas Eve. What wonderful memories it brings to mind, of those I love here, there and somewhere else entirely. The remembering and the missing go hand in hand, but feeling oh so blessed that I got to spend those magical moments with each of you. Love to all and may your days be merry and bright.

The missing is so real 💐💐💐💐