I'm going to send them out this year. I'll first have to locate Ann's list so I know who to send them to! I want to get them out early so those who "dropped" be from their lists last year will add me back in!
I plan to celebrate Christmas this year!
This is my third Christmas and first try at sending out cards..I made them myself and will include a brief letter...those that know and love you will understand if you do not send any until you are ready...
Hugs to you,
Lani
Jeanette, I think that you should do whatever makes you comfortable. The people who love you won't care whether or not you send them a card. The ones that make a deal out of it and drop you from their lists don't really matter any way.
For myself, this will be my third Christmas without Joe. I've kinda settled into a new way of celebrating. Joe was a Christmas person who loved to buy presents for everyone. I did the family shopping but he would do his own shopping for me and the kids. I've kept it alive by buying a special gift for each of the grandchildren and my daughter and son-in-law from him. I get the seasonal Hess truck for the boys and the Barbie for Ella. Then I buy Keri, Mike and myself something fun that we usually wouldn't spend the money on. Everyone feels like he's right there on Christmas morning.
Since me and the kids live together we send a Christmas card which is a picture of the children and both of our last names. This grief is a journey and nothing will ever be the same. I think we must try to make ourselves as happy as we can.
Hugs, Pat
I don't know if I will send out Christmas cards or not. Most of the people on my list write notes in their cards and I will answer them. The most important thing about Christmas is for me to be with my son. I know we started a new tradition last year. His anniversary is the 14th of December and I took them and his wife's mother out to dinner and after we drove around town and looked at all the decorations. I think Bob would have liked that.
This will be my 3rd Christmas without my husband and I have never stopped sending out the Christmas Cards because I felt he would not want me to stop celebrating Christmas. It was very hard the first Christmas because he died in September, but I managed to get them written and mailed and I am glad that I did. Life has to go on and yes these darn holidays get us, but what is right for me may not be okay with you. You have to do what you feel is right for you and whatever you choose to do will be okay and your friends and family will understand.
Hugs,
Kathy
Kathy, I think you've hit the nail on the head, Christmas Cards were always written by my husband, I hated the job, I think cards can be so insincere when they are sent out to everyone on the list, or sent out just because one is received. I think I'll just leave the cards this year, and next year I'll send out a few, but only those who will feature in my new life. Like Lani says, friends should understand, and if they don't, then I can do without them. I shall, of course, be giving cards and presents to Richard's two small grandchildren (my step grandchildren) and my neice's two young lads because Christmas is special for children and Richard would want me to do that. I do know that he would understand me and Christmas Cards - Jeanette x
I was always the one to take care of any kind of cards, including Christmas. With a 'shove' I could get David to write something to his aunt and his kids... I managed to get cards out last year and plan to do the same this year. I usually write a Christmas letter - which I adapt to each recipient - and I'm sure this year's will be a bit more cheerful than last. At least I hope so.
The cards will not be the hard part for me. Christmas Eve and Christmas morning will be........
I'll send about 10 cards. Christmas was so very special for Suzy and me. Now it's something to get through. This will be my 3rd one without her. Suzy always put a lot of effort into finding a unique card related to figure skating each year. She also kept detailed records to make certain that no one ever received the same one twice. I have one of each. Maybe 25 different ones. I could send them, but I don't think I could bear to part with them.
Ken would go buy individual cards for close friends and family. Mostly they were funny ones that meant something to the recipient. It was usually my job to do the busy work involved in getting them out. I found a stack of cards that he bought and did not send. No doubt he found ones that he liked and was stocking up for next year. We did not send any last year when he was sick. I'm not sure what I will do. I may go through the cards he purchased and try to guess who they were for. I will send them out if I can put a cheery tone to them. I don't want to bring other people down.
The first Christmas, I sent out notes. I always watch for some kind of Christmas type stationary at the Dollar stores. The second one, I did the same thing. Not sure yet but will probably do the same thing this year. There are a few people that do not do Internet that I want to stay in touch with.
You have to do what is right for you. You do not want to do anything that brings more pain to you.
