Not sure I should even post this.

[Patti37]

I'm hanging in there. I've been lurking, but don't really have a whole lot to say right now.

This season is hard on a lot of people, not only those who've lost someone, but for those who've lost their marriages, their jobs, their sobriety, their children/friends to drugs etc.

It has made me want to be nicer to everyone...even when they are being crabby or exasperated. You just never know what might be going on in their life that might be behind their behavior.

What an amazing attitude you have! It is true that we don't know what is going on with people we meet in our every day lives.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[bambu101]

Raindrop, Well-said and so very true. You just don't know what is going on with people that you encounter. Last year, my father was gravely ill with kidney disease, and my sister and 2 brothers and I spent the holiday season helplessly watching him get worse and worse. He passed away on December 30th, and I can remember going out Christmas shopping, and becoming furious that everyone else was all jolly and festive, and my dad was dying. It was an awful holiday season, and this year we will all be thinking of him and trying to celebrate in spite of the huge hole without him there in our family gathering.
Hugs to you and everyone else who has lost someone they loved this past year.
Wendy

[missymaya]

Raindrop
I'm deeply sorry for you loss. The pain somtimes feels almost unexpressable because it's so overwhelming but it will dull in time. Keep your brother in your memories. There will be times when you will smell something or hear something that will bring up a memory of him and it will hurt because it will also remind of you of his loss. Embrace those memories and the feelings, for they will help you go through this painful time and help you grow stronger and more understanding as well. My thoughts are with you.