Am I the only one?

[senile1]

There are a lot of good and wise comments here.  I think anyone who has to spend much time apart from loved ones, or who is experiencing death or disease in the family will experience some melancholy during the holidays.  Otherwise, they wouldn't be human.  To me, happiness doesn't mean I will never experience depressing times.  It means I will accept what the situation is, and I'll find something in that situation to be positive about.  I don't really go into details about my personal life on this forum, but I have some life situations which create depressing times also.  I have to admit that I experience some sadness around the holidays as well.  But I wouldn't say that I'm an unhappy person.  

So to all, I hope you find something during this holiday season that will give you comfort and peace inside, despite what your situation may be.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Every year I get older, I appreciate more.  Family is the number one contributor for me and holidays are the main time we all gather at once.  It's not all roses though, there are trials and tribulations, times to keep your mouth shut and times to speak up.  Either way, I often think lately that my dad won't be here a whole lot longer, nothing exact, just that he has lived hard and is slowing down faster than most.  Holidays are ruined by retail conspiracies, etc, agreed,...but it's also one more time I get to hug my dad.

Papa- I have a strong respect for your thought process.  Reading your words reminds me of these people in my life that raised and guided me from my early days.

Just wanted you to know that you are not just heard but appreciated

[srv1990]

I don't post as much as many of you, mainly because I don't feel I know nearly as much about fishing as a lot of you do. But reading this thread has moved me to reply.

Growing up in a big family (youngest of 8) holidays were always a blast. We didn't get much, gift-wise, but the holidays were special nonetheless. Our loud, crowded gatherings (Italians are like that!) is something I would not have traded for anything. Those were special times.

But now I cherish the holidays, and any other day that I get the opportunity to be with my family, for different reasons. The family still gets together, but it's different. Having lost a brother to AIDS in '97 when he was just 39, and then losing my mother very suddenly 15 months later (she was 68), it has given me a whole new perspective on life. It's fragile, we are all on borrowed time and need to make the most of it. And just a few weeks ago one of my older sisters had a lump removed from her breast, it's cancerous. She will be starting chemotherapy soon and we are all praying for a positive outcome.

I don't bring these things up as "sob stories" or to say "woe is me", God knows everyone has their own crosses to bear. But more to illustrate why I cherish my time now with family and friends more than ever before. With two children of my own (8 and 6) and a third one due in March, the holidays to me are about seeing the joy in their eyes, trying to teach them what the season means and to be grateful for what they have, and making sure they get to spend quality time with their remaining grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Anyway, I'm rambling... thanks for listening and all the best to each of you.

Tom