Depressed and stressed during the holidays

[Guest guest]

For many, Christmas is not a time of joy and happiness but is often

marred by sorrow, grief, loneliness, pain and dysfunctional family

relationships - all of which seem worse during the holidays. In

December of 2002, I wrote an article called " Christmas Blues " at

http://www.fms-help.com/Christmas.htm. Hopefully it has a few

thoughts that will encourage others, even as I have to keep myself

encouraged.

The main thing I am doing this season is keeping my stress levels

down as much as possible and avoiding overcommitment. I have come to

realize (and sadly accept) that I cannot handle life like a " normal "

person. My husband (who for the most part has been extremely

understanding) mentioned that perhaps my age (56) is starting to play

a role in my slowing down. However, I have an 86 year old mother who

is in great health and runs circles around me! She does not

understand my illness.

I have always said that one of the " benefits " of having FMS/CFIDS is

that even when I was 30, I could sympathize with people who were 90,

because I felt just like they did -

aches/pains/fatigue/depression/sleep problems, etc. I am glad to be

functioning better now, but I know I will never be " normal. "

To keep my pity party from becoming too intense, I just think about

the many folks in my community (and in the world at large) who are

going through much worse trials, sicknesses and disasters than I have

had to face, and then I realize once again that I am not the only one

who deals with a less than perfect existence. How kind we should be

to others, because we never know what they are going through! Most

heartaches and illnesses do not show up visibly, like a cast on your

leg! Thankfully, God sees our hearts and knows our innermost

thoughts and struggles, even when people (who are just being human)

do not understand.

Well, I'll get off my soapbox now....I mainly wanted everyone to know

that I am thinking of you during this holiday season!

Love and prayers,

Dominie

www.fms-help.com

[Guest guest]

Dommie, I have to say, as I take a break of the holiday gathering, that I completely understand all of this. This time of year can just be a reminder of how much isn't the same and how much is lost. Here's to hoping that all of us remember the important things this time of year. Blessed BeDominie Bush <dombush@...> wrote: For many, Christmas is not a time of joy and happiness but is often marred by sorrow, grief, loneliness, pain and dysfunctional family

relationships - all of which seem worse during the holidays. In December of 2002, I wrote an article called "Christmas Blues" at http://www.fms-help.com/Christmas.htm. Hopefully it has a few thoughts that will encourage others, even as I have to keep myself encouraged. The main thing I am doing this season is keeping my stress levels down as much as possible and avoiding overcommitment. I have come to realize (and sadly accept) that I cannot handle life like a "normal" person. My husband (who for the most part has been extremely understanding) mentioned that perhaps my age (56) is starting to play a role in my slowing down. However, I have an 86 year old mother who is in great health and runs circles around me! She does not understand my illness.I have always said that one of the "benefits" of having FMS/CFIDS is that even when I was 30, I

could sympathize with people who were 90, because I felt just like they did - aches/pains/fatigue/depression/sleep problems, etc. I am glad to be functioning better now, but I know I will never be "normal."To keep my pity party from becoming too intense, I just think about the many folks in my community (and in the world at large) who are going through much worse trials, sicknesses and disasters than I have had to face, and then I realize once again that I am not the only one who deals with a less than perfect existence. How kind we should be to others, because we never know what they are going through! Most heartaches and illnesses do not show up visibly, like a cast on your leg! Thankfully, God sees our hearts and knows our innermost thoughts and struggles, even when people (who are just being human) do not understand.Well, I'll get off my soapbox now....I mainly wanted everyone to know that I

am thinking of you during this holiday season! Love and prayers,Dominiewww.fms-help.com

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[Guest guest]

You are so correct. I was thinking of the same thing the other day and even today. it has been an extremely busy week for me and not because of shopping. I didn't do any but decided to pay off a majority of my bills instead so I can start the year off with so much less stress. There are so many people in distress because of physical problems, emotional problems, family crises, sickness, homelessness, etc. So when I think of them my life seems a bit less stressful. I thank God I can still function - not a full speed but I can still function and I am 65 now. God has beem soooooooo good to me. God bless and Merry Christmas to you and yours. Shirley Godbout

Depressed and stressed during the holidays

For many, Christmas is not a time of joy and happiness but is often marred by sorrow, grief, loneliness, pain and dysfunctional family relationships - all of which seem worse during the holidays. In December of 2002, I wrote an article called "Christmas Blues" at http://www.fms- help.com/ Christmas. htm. Hopefully it has a few thoughts that will encourage others, even as I have to keep myself encouraged. The main thing I am doing this season is keeping my stress levels down as much as possible and avoiding overcommitment. I have come to realize (and sadly accept) that I cannot handle life like a "normal" person. My husband (who for the most part has been extremely understanding) mentioned that perhaps my age (56) is starting to play a role in my slowing down. However, I have an 86 year old mother who is in great

health and runs circles around me! She does not understand my illness.I have always said that one of the "benefits" of having FMS/CFIDS is that even when I was 30, I could sympathize with people who were 90, because I felt just like they did - aches/pains/ fatigue/depressi on/sleep problems, etc. I am glad to be functioning better now, but I know I will never be "normal."To keep my pity party from becoming too intense, I just think about the many folks in my community (and in the world at large) who are going through much worse trials, sicknesses and disasters than I have had to face, and then I realize once again that I am not the only one who deals with a less than perfect existence. How kind we should be to others, because we never know what they are going through! Most heartaches and illnesses do not show up visibly, like a cast on your leg! Thankfully, God sees our hearts and knows our

innermost thoughts and struggles, even when people (who are just being human) do not understand.Well, I'll get off my soapbox now....I mainly wanted everyone to know that I am thinking of you during this holiday season! Love and prayers,Dominiewww.fms-help. com

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