I would just like to say, especially to many of those amongst us that are new to the site this year... The next few weeks can and most likely will, be that bit harder. (how is that even possible?)
A simple trip to the shops or anywhere out the house means the likelihood of encountering Christmas! Plastic Santa's bellowing "ho, ho, ho" , piped music announcing"T'is the season to be jolly" , the constant reminders of happier Christmases past, all underlining the stark reality... of facing Christmas without our loved one.
Overwrought by the feelings that you want to run away, hide and not emerge till, the last piece of tinsel has been packed away, "Old Lang Syne" has been sung and the festivities have finished.
It's really not a good time when you are grieving, regardless if it is the first or tenth year without our beloved partner. For me, Christmas week also means my beloved late husband's birthday, our wedding anniversary, followed 24 hours later by Christmas Day, then New Year's Eve is an awful reminder that this was the very date we first learned of the cancer that was attacking my husband!!
Sadly, I have no magic words to impart to help myself or any of us cope with the underlined loss that Christmas brings to us. Other than to say, remember that we are here to support one another and we can all understand the raw grief which can feel so overwhelming in the run up to Christmas and the New Year.
Sending hugs to everyone x
Pooka/Polka.. no worries Fifinet , 
it's not my real name. 
