Christmas without a loved one. Does it get easier?

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Life is full of firsts. Some we don't remember, some we never forget. As we get older these firsts become rarer. We think we've seen it all, done it all, until something happens. Something devastating that changes our life forever. We start to have many firsts again. So please remember those who are spending Christmas without a loved one. For the first time...

I posted this last year. I thought it would be easier this year, but it's not. It's harder. Everyone around me last year understood but this year it's as if they think I'm over it. I'll be fine. I got over the first Christmas. I can't tell them how bad I feel so I put on a smile and pretend. Will I ever be able to stop pretending. 

David and I were married over 40 years. He passed away less than 6 weeks after his bowel cancer diagnosis 18 months ago. Everyone put his symptoms down to a Crohns flare up till it was too late. We had no time to come to terms with first the diagnosis and then the terminal prognosis. 

Maybe next year will be better.

  • Thank you Penny36 and Howdy for your really kind words.

    I found the days leading up to Christmas worse than the actual day itself. My Son and I spent it with family and a couple of Shetland dogs (huge) I only managed to open one present and was in tears. My Son and I opened the rest on Boxing Day.

    Don't know if anyone else is feeling this, but today New Year's Eve I'm really emotional. Feeling like I am saying goodbye again to Roger as well as the year.

    Thinking of everyone as 2025 comes to a close without your loved ones. Let's hope 2026 brings happier times! xx

  • Yes ive found today tough. The end of the year my world fell apart and rhe start of my first year without him.

    Its painful. 

  • Hello Malengwa,

    I so relate to how you are feeling. Yesterday I woke up really early in tears and then just had episodes at work. It was a relief to get home last night and be near Roger albeit in picture form. I have made a memory board of our favourite photos in happier times. Although it makes me really sad, I look at the pictures and remember where we were etc.

    To contemplate the year ahead without him, I cannot think about. Today I feel better than yesterday and going forward will see what each day brings.

    Thinking of you Malengwa and do reach out when you feel like it. 

  • What a horrible time for us all. It's such a painful emptiness with a numbness that feels like time has stood still.

    But it will go eventually and the awful memories will slowly fade too.

    My heart goes out to everyone facing the devastating loss of a loved one, especially at this time of year.

    With much love.

    Penny xxx

  •   I think this was the worst thing - wanting this terrible year of 2025 to end but dreading moving on into 2026 without him. 
    I’m trying to plan ahead a bit so that I have got jobs/ challenges to keep my focus on moving forward. I’m compiling a list of 26 things I want to achieve. Hoping this will help me get through. 
    Sorry we are all going through this.