Twinkling lights decorating homes, stores, yards, and just about anything that is standing still. Well wishers shouting ‘Season Greetings’ or ‘Merry Christmas’ everywhere you turn. Movie channels filled with love and human kindness where the girl always gets her guy, and everyone lives happily ever after. Don’t you just love this time of the year? Wait… did you say NO?

For whatever reason and there are many, not everyone enjoys this time of year. Unfortunately, I am one of those people. There are a multitude of reasons why people get the blues this time of year. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I can tell you why this is one of the most difficult times of the year for me.

I’m not a Scrooge by any means. I love to give to people. I really don’t care if I receive gifts, but when I can’t give or spend time with the people who mean the most to me, it hurts. I get blue. Several things have happened over the last few years that contributed to my mood this year.

First, my daughter moved away from home in 2017. On her own, working in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. Following her own dream. I’m so proud of her, and yet, I miss her. Last year we were able to spend Christmas with her. It won’t happen this year because of work related circumstances. Second, my parents are 87 and 85. Every time I think that I don’t really know how many more Christmases I have with them, my heart aches. They live in Florida and getting to them this year just isn’t going to happen and I definitely don’t want dad trying to make that drive by himself. Third, the last three years have been the most difficult my husband and I have had financially in all our 44 years of marriage.

Now there might not be anyone else out there that has this problem, and I certainly hope no one does. BUT… Some of you have lost loved ones recently. Some have lost jobs. Some just can’t deal with the noise and confusion of the holidays. Some have no family to give to. Some have been shunned by their families and have lost hope. These are only a few reasons, and there’s too many to list here.

This I do know: a smile and a kind word goes a long way for those of us with the Holiday Blues. The cashier, the bank teller, the waitress, and so on. You don’t have to say a season greeting, just give the person a genuine smile, and tell them you hope they have a good day.

It is my profound prayer that each and every one of you have a blessed holiday season, no matter what the color… red… green… magenta… silver… gold… or blue.
Have a wonderful day!
CJ Baty