Merry Christmas to all who come here. The holidays are difficult when your spouse/partner is MIA and you have to deal with family, friends and co-workers who are jolly and wanting to celebrate and don't have a clue what you are experiencing.
When I came here 24 years ago, my xh had left 12 days before Christmas and I can assure you that there was absolutely no Christmas music being played in my parents' home and it was a very depressing time. The one thing that I will always remember my parents told me. They said "cry when you need to cry, if you need alone time, take it and most of all, you do not need to be happy all of the time". They also told me that time would heal the wounds, but I would have battle scars from dealing w/my xh's demons. That is so true. In time, the pain goes away, but you always remember how your journey began when they walked away.
So, if you need to cry, have some me time or want to avoid all of those happy people for a while...do it. Until they walk a mile in your shoes, they will never understand how you feel.
Merry Christmas to all and 2024 is right around the corner. I pray that all of you can find the strength within to help you travel the path that you are on and know that one day....you will be fine once again.
