When you feel overwhelmed at the holidays, even something like a tangled strand of lights can be enough to cause tears to flow in frustration. At that point, it’s just best to walk away for a moment. Put on some music that calms you and come back to it when you are ready. Or throw them away and buy a new strand!

I do love the holidays, but I must admit with the joy, peace, and goodwill, along with it comes a strong dose of anxiety, sadness, and melancholy. Tensions flare, unrealistic expectations for perfection set by Norman Rockwell standards of days gone by unravel at the seams, the simplest of things can overwhelm you, and every day can be a quick trip into a dark hole if you don’t keep it all in check. 

Not all of us like to celebrate the season and for many of us it is nearly unbearable. My heart goes out to all of you that are suffering and I would just like to take the opportunity to let you know you are not alone. Many of us have those feelings and many of us are going through rough times – whether it be the loss of a pet, the loss of a job, financial issues, relationship issues, family problems, health issues or more. But the good news is that we have each other. We are a precious community and if you are finding it difficult to see the joy in any of it, it’s right in front of you if you really look.

When you think of the holidays in terms of the presence of what you have in your life to be grateful for, rather than the presents, it helps to put things in perspective.

If I’m bringing down any of you that don’t have these types of feelings, I’m sorry. It’s not my intention – I’m just looking to share a conversation that probably a lot of people can relate to in one way or another. For me personally, despite the rocky roads, I have much to be grateful for. Once again I will have family coming to visit for Christmas and I can’t wait to be around people that I love so very much. It will be a very simple Christmas this year – we are all strapped for finances, but Christmas is not supposed to be about presents. It’s supposed to be about the presence of love in your heart from those you care about – flaws and all.

It’s the little things I love about the holidays – baking cookies, playing board games, watching silly Christmas movies, looking at lights…

That love includes past, present, and those that are miles away, but always in our hearts – beloved friends, family members, and fur babies and more. So please, be kind to yourself – you are not alone and that’s really the greatest gift you can give. And as far as those other gifts – the kind you wrap and put under a tree, I’ve been having a wonderful time this year being creative – I’ve gone back to my roots and made some really nice homemade gifts this year. I’ve also taken to ebay with a vengeance – so many awesome vintage gifts at a fraction of the price you would pay for something of this millennium.

Anyhow, take a moment my dear friends – let’s all breathe together. Grab a cat and lets all hug… gently, of course, as kitty probably doesn’t like this particular group exercise. Lastly, just one little favor, in today’s comments, please tell me something you are grateful for in your life.

I love this picture of me hugging Jazmine but it is also bittersweet. One of the biggest difficulties I have at Christmas is putting up the stockings we have for the cats – and having to live through the memories of those that are no longer with us – but always in my heart… RIP my sweet babies…

I’d like to take a special moment to express my deepest sympathies to a few of my dear friends who had to say goodbye to beloved furbabies this week – Kevin and Tracey from Animal Shelter Volunteer Life who had to say goodbye to their sweet boy, Moosey, Caroline Golan of Romeo the Cat who had to say goodbye to her precious Romeo, and Cheri of Cats of Wildcat Woods who had to say goodbye to her darling Georgie. I pray they are all at peace and their memories will purrever be in our hearts.