SueAnn Porter

All the kids were so excited, Santa was sitting in a wagon pulled by a truck, escorted by the fire engines. It made me think: When was the last time I was that excited about anything?

I really don’t recall. The closest was a few months ago, when my son got a new roommate who is a mechanic at a Mercedes Benz dealership. I was so thankful, I actually told God, “I hope you’re not bored hearing me say ‘thank you’! but Thank You!”

Christmas to me is depressing. So much hoopla. A big build up to be followed by shattered dreams. Unfulfilled promises. Insults, arguments, and pain.

I’ve spent more than one Christmas in bed, just trying to get through the day. Bad memories, thoughts of lost loved ones who are no longer with us, money stress and other issues flood my mind.

I know I’m not alone in this. Every year I read about people committing suicide around “the holidays”. It can be the loneliest time of the year.  Sometimes the loneliest place to be is in a crowd of people unable to connect to them.

So for all of us– keep breathing. We’ll get through this. And try living again in January.