Wonderful

Christmas Day; December 25.

As a child, this was about waking up at the crack of dawn (and awakening your parents, to varying degrees of patience, as well) in a race for the tree to see what spoils awaited. I vividly remember the year in particular that I unwrapped three of LJN's "Thundercats" heroes and the four original "Real Ghostbusters" action figures from the "Kenner" line (I think it was 1987, because I have a vivid memory of my little sister being somewhere nearby and this may or may not have been the year that she had arrived on December 8th). Another vivid Christmas memory included the year that I unwrapped The Ghostbusters' "Firehouse Headquarters" and the NES with Super Mario/Duck Hunt whilst seated on my late Grandmother's living room floor.

Oh; to cling to the childlike, innocent joy of the Christmas Season and Christmas Morning (maybe not complete with the sense of avarice and greed of counting up the spoils waiting for me).

Somewhere down the line, many adults lose the joy, belief, and reason for the Christmas season. Perhaps it's in becoming jaded with the times. Perhaps it's disappointment in life in general that awakens too hastily during the holiday season. Perhaps, now that we're earning adult money and BUYING our needs and necessities throughout the year, being grilled about what we want for Christmas is becoming too difficult of a question and frustrations are growing over the $1,000,000 Question (Although that "$1,000,000.00" sounds nice; even after deductions for charitable giving and taxes). Maybe the happy family that you once saw around the table who could have been the Cratchitts who, despite having nothing, had the love of one another are, in fact, the Griswolds and their in-laws packed around a table that can never seem large enough to suit anyone's need for distance. It may be, perhaps, that my shoes are too tight. It could be, perhaps, my head is not screwed on just right.

Kidding.

It's time to face facts; I'm older now. Christmas is different. Like many folks, through no particular fault of my own, or anyone else's, or even circumstances, Christmas just "hits" differently this year.

Celebrations and traditions change.

People may be missing from your holiday get together.

Maybe you're just not in the right place in your life right now; albeit even during "*The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.(TM)"

That's normal and valid. A Christmas Season does not change your living or job situation. Holidays don't, naturally, change a person's financial situation (albeit that now you feel the pressure to spend). Even a holiday season doesn't correct the imperfections of a person's life. People can feel under-appreciated or neglected. People miss friends and family. People can worry about finances or employment. Peoples' living situations or job situations aren't always the best; even during "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

Last points; Depression is real. Anxiety over (employment/finances/friendly relations/the family dynamic) is real. "Oh; the Winter Blues;" nope, no less fake and no less serious for some who struggle with it. Those struggling can't always pinpoint WHY these thoughts/feelings occur (add it to the list of frustrations), HOW they started, WHAT could make them stop, or WHEN they'll "just stop to be replaced by Comfort and Joy" (though, if it were that simple, I'm sure that many who suffer and struggle would have flipped that magic switch of their own accord to replace frustration, anxiety, and depression with forced "Tidings of Comfort and Joy").

If you DO struggle this holiday season, know that you're not alone and are not at fault. Depression and anxiety are real; even close to holiday time. No; it doesn't mean that "Oh, you've just misplaced the reason for the season!" (me to Holier-Than.../Smarter-Than.../Better-Than-Thou Person: "You are SO right! Why hadn't I thought of that MYSELF? Thank you! I feel SO MUCH better now after being spoken down to, minimized, and shamed as some kind of heathen; with (sadness/frustration/depression/anxiety/Meh, the Winter Blues [still valid]/whatever-this-is-that-even-I-can't-directly-pinpoint).

So, what can YOU do if you sense that someone who you love is struggling (and maybe THEY don't even have a concrete answer as to WHY)?

Reach out to a friend if you're concerned. A simple message over social media or a text to remind them that they're being thought of can work wonders. A physical Christmas Card or Phone Call are even better. Even a surprise get-together to see a familiar face can make a world of difference to cure someone's Holiday Blues (or something much deeper), even during Christmastime.

Thank you for your time, everyone; have the Merriest Christmas that circumstances and traditions will allow, okay? Okay.

Much love to all.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas surrounded by the people who mean most to you. Be safe out on the roads if you're traveling and I pray for strength and patience for the hosts and graciousness and comfort for any guests.