I went to Costco yesterday with a friend, she needed a few things and I went along for the ride.
Costco assaulted me.
That's the only way I can put it.
It is not even Thanksgiving yet and the entire store was decked out in Christmas lights, trees, bows, ribbons, wrappings and sparkling gifts just waiting to be snatched up by eager shoppers.
I stood in the middle of Costco stunned.
I KNOW the holidays are coming. I wish I could fly away somewhere - but where don't they celebrate Christmas?
I cried in the middle of Costco. I don't think I can do Christmas this year. I don't think I have the strength.
Instead, I am going to concentrate on Thanksgiving.
Here is what I am thankful for:
I am thankful that I had a wonderful marriage full of love, respect and humor.
I am thankful for the years I had with my husband.
I am thankful that TBHITW did not suffer in life or in death.
I am thankful that I have a loving family who listens to me, loves me and offers me their support.
I am thankful that my family is healthy.
I am thankful that I have a home.
I am thankful that we are safe from the terrors of the world.
I am thankful that the life TBHITW and I had was the best life we could possibly have had.
I am thankful for all of you who read this blog and keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
What are you thankful for this year?
I'm thankful for the many bloggers who have joined, in whatever way, in decrying the proliferation of Christmas stuff prior to Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm thankful for thoughtful people such as yourself.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
The firsts are always the hardest to get through. When my husband passed away 5 years ago, it was just after Christmas. He was very sick on his last Christmas, could not even eat the meal. Although time does heal, and me and my daughter have moved forward - Christmas is always hard since we have those memories. Don't be too hard on yourself - "this too shall pass" and you create new memories.
ReplyDeleteI always find Christmas to be the hardest holiday to get through and wish that I could fly away to a sunny island, too. Maybe we could go together? I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed with the commercialism of the holidays. This has become worse each year. Seriously, before Halloween I saw stores moving Halloween stuff to clearance so they could set out Christmas stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I also love Thanksgiving. Please let us celebrate one before we jump to the next.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for your strength in sharing your journey. I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
I have some of the same feelings in seeing Christmas decorations and music playing before Thanksgiving...before we've taken time to be grateful for all that we have. I am thankful for your thankful list. I am thankful most of all for my huband, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends in my real life and through blogging. I am thankful for all of them because together they all keep me centered on what is most important in life.
ReplyDeleteI still have you in my thoughts and prayers as we go into the holiday season. Bless you and yours. XX
Hi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing christmas this year. I threw away all my decorations in a fit of something. I don't remember what, but I think I just couldn't face putting them all up when Christmas came. I've already decided I won't do any shopping - not any. I will give my children money to buy their gifts and for their children as well. Normally, I love shopping for my grandkids, but this year I won't. There is no way I could sit a wrap up gifts either, so all my left-over Christmas wrap was given away too.
I am thankful for all the things on your list and thankful for my blogging buddies who have given me so much support and comfort.
Hugs
there is this big sunny island in the south pacific which does celebrate christmas, but its a very casual event here, think BBQ by the pool with family and friends. This is Australia, its beautiful, laidback and if you dont celebrate no one really cares!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for my family who are my world, and all the simple things that make life special, everyday.
You can only deal with one day at a time, xx
Can I be thankful that I don't have to cook Thanksgiving dinner?
ReplyDeleteYou know what? Even though I don't know you IRL, I thought of you the other day at a store. I thought to myself "Christmas will be so hard for her this year." I don't know if it helps or not to know that I am thinking of you...but I am. I am thankful for my family most of all.
ReplyDeleteMrs. A. - what time shall I arrive on this big sunny south pacific island and do they take Visa or Mastercard?
ReplyDeleteTiffany - you know what? It DOES help me to know that people are thinking of me. I can FEEL it. I can feel the strength and love and light that good people such as yourself send into the airwaves. So don't stop.
Don't any of you give up on me. I will start cooking again. I will send you recipes. I will go on. With all of your help and encouragement I will live on.
That is a very good thankful list :-)
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving! :-)
~Ron
I would like to fly away with you. If I find a place I will get back to you asap. Holidays are so hard. Take care.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to stop by and say I was thinking of you. My Mom's first Christmas on her own was difficult, no one wanted to do it. So we focussed on finding new non-Christmas traditions. We focussed on food instead of gifts. We ate out so no one would have the stress of being in charge of dinner. We just accepted that we would be doing things differently, and that was OK. Once we got over the fear of doing Christmas "the right way", it was so much easier to focus on the happy memories of my Dad and all the blessings we had while he was alive.
ReplyDeleteYour gratitude list was lovely, thank you for sharing it.- G
I am thankful for you Linda :)
ReplyDeleteI have tried to email you but it bounces back???Could you email me? I wanted to talk to you...
Ah...crying in Costco. I've been there before.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for second chances.