This goes out to anyone who lost a family member or friend this year. It's Christmas. This is when you are supposed to hang out with family and friends. Every situation is unique and every person deals with things differently, so I can't say I know exactly how you feel, but I was there once, so I have an idea. Maybe you just don't want to do Christmas this year. You might think it would be too painful with that one empty seat. Maybe your family or friends aren't the open talkative kind and your head is bursting with funny and happy memories of previous Christmases spent with the one you have lost. Maybe you just want to tell the stories so you can feel closer to the person you miss so much, but you don't know how to do it without making the conversation awkward. Maybe you fought a lot with your loved one. Maybe Christmas was never a good memory but a time of more fighting, and now you just want to know that all is forgiven, and you wish you could know that they know that you love them.
This goes out to anyone like the families of the people who died at Sandy Hook in 2012 who have survived at least a year without a loved one and have now been all but forgotten even though you will never forget. You have to face this time of year again knowing that it is supposed to be a happy time, but for you it will always be painful. Now, you don't even have the solace of having everyone know and understand that this is going to be a tough time for you and you might not be the cheeriest Christmas fan. Some people might forget, or you might have made new friends you never managed to tell because it was too hard to discuss.
This is for everyone who didn't make it home this Christmas. If you're lucky (and I hope you are) you have friends to eat dinner with. You might be trying to be positive and pretend you don't miss you're folks, but you probably do. Go ahead admit it. I know it could be worse and you have things to be thankful for, but everyone wants to be with family for Christmas, and I understand if you're disappointed.
This is for the ones who don't have any friends. I wish I knew you. If I do know you and you're in St. Thomas and I just don't realise that you are alone, seriously, let me know. We'll figure something out. No one wants to be alone on Christmas.
This is for my friends from other - war torn - countries. I know all you want for Christmas is safety for the ones you love. Please know I'm praying for that very thing.
This is for the person who can't afford a big dinner or fancy toys. This is for my dad who told me stories of a homeless Christmas in a detox centre when new socks and underwear made him cry because he needed it and because it was more than just a useful gift, it was proof that someone gave a shit.
This is for every person who is hurting this Christmas.
There are many things I could tell you. I could say someone, somewhere has it worse than you and there are still things to be happy for. I could say there are only so many Christmases before we die. I could, but I don't want to. I just want to tell you, that I know you're out there. In the midst of all the family and food and presents, I am thinking about you. I know its tough and I'm ok with you being sad. I've been there. And if you ever need anyone to talk to or watch TV and forget about life with or a big loud family to adopt you, or anything. I can try and make it happen. Seriously.
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