Friday 25 November 2016

Mixed Feelings About Christmas.


It's that time of the year again when I suddenly realise that Christmas is just round the corner and the panic starts to seep through.
Today is Black Friday. Well we didn't have that until recently when it started to spread here from America and I, for one won't be part of it. 
I'm pleased to hear that so far, the big stores are not packed with people all fighting with each other as though their lives depended on getting a so called bargain that probably isn't genuinely a bargain at all. Some of the stores are empty of shoppers, put off by some of the scrabbles that amounted to violence during previous years.

I got out the Christmas cards this morning and looked at my list from last year. As usual I had to strike off several names of people who have died since last year. It's one of the depressing sides of ageing....people starting to pop off all around you.

On the positive side, there are all the activities and concerts that schools put on for our grandchildren. There are the choir practices for the carols at concerts and church that will be looming up. Christmas arrangements to be made with our families about who is going where and how we'll cope with the catering.
Surprises to think of.
How to go about decorating the house for Christmas this year...... if I decide to bother, though I probably will.
I like to think of the true meaning of Christmas but we've all got sidetracked with commercialism.

Of course for me, there's one very important person missing, but life has to go on. I always buy myself a present from him and can almost hear him saying, "Go on, treat yourself". He was a generous man. This will be my second Christmas.......




7 comments:

Gosia said...

Maggie don't worry and live full of your life because we live only once

Leilani Schuck Weatherington said...

I agree with you about Black Friday. Never have and never will get caught up in that. Our family is going to do a "silly gift" exchange for Christmas this year and forego trying to buy presents for everybody. Hard not to be melancholy remembering loved ones who have died. It is okay to feel sad, but like you say, there are some good things happening in your community so I would encourage you to focus on those too.

Marie Smith said...

Thinking of you, Maggie! Enjoy your treat!

Secret Agent Woman said...

I am sorry - the holidays are tinged with sorrow when you've lost your partner.

As for Black Friday, not me. I participate in "Buy Nothing Day" instead.

ADDY said...

We always seem to inherit the worst bits from America - MacDonalds, Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diabetes, Obesity, Happy Secretary's Day, and, of course, Black Friday. I for one spent the sum total of £3 in Poundland on that day! I'm becoming a right old Scrooge. Christmas seems more commercialised as the years roll by and many people don't even know the reason behind why they are celebrating. I can understand why Christmas is tinged with sadness for you, as we miss the absent ones in our family too, but I am sure they would not want you to be unhappy and are looking down on you.

Hilary said...

I absolutely love that you can hear him encouraging you to treat yourself. That's just beautiful, Maggie.

Black Friday has seeped its way into Canada the past few years, also. I dislike it immensely.

Satta King said...

satta king
play bazaar

play bazaar
play bazaar mujhe aarzoo e sehr rahi
yunhi raat bhar bari daer tak
na bikhar saka na simat saka
yunhi raat bhar bari daer tak
tha bohat azaab aur akele hum
shab e gham b meri taweel tak
rahii zindagi bhi saraab aur
rahi aankh tar bari daer tak...
yahan har taraf hai ajab samaa
sabhi khud pasand sabhi khud numa
dil e be-qaraar ko na mil sakaa
koi chaaraa ghar bari daer tak
mujhe zindagi hai azeeztar
isi waaste mere hum-safar
mujhe qatra qatra pila zehr
jo kare asar bari dair tak