I'm going to take a pass this week, but if you feel up to the task you can join Diane (and possibly Delores) in writing a poem; and you can post it in the comments on any of our blogs, or on your own blog. If the latter, please leave a comment so we can find you and cheer you on. Use the topic or not; there are no poem police here :)
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I am not feeling all that Christmas-y this year. As the actual day approaches, I am getting more and more morose. I'm missing my father, who passed away a few years back. I'm missing my daughter and her family, who you might remember moved far, far away last month.
I'm hoping a few hours spent with most of the rest of my close family members and some pie will make me feel better tomorrow.
For today, I think I'll just leave you with a Walmart ad which made me all teary but at least it wasn't in a bad way. Even if it is just a clever marketing ploy on behalf of the richest company in the world, it's still sweet and heartwarming. I hope you like it as much as I did.
Wishing all you lovely people a peaceful holiday, no matter who or what you celebrate, or if you don't -- or don't want to -- celebrate at all.
A big Donkey hug to every one of you :)
That is a truly lovely ad.
ReplyDeleteHolding you firmly in my heart and sending huge elephant hugs your way.
Elephant hugs are the best. Thank you, EC.
DeleteOK I'll try this again. Firefox won't let me comment here, so I'll try Opera instead. It worked at Harry's blog, so it's worth a try.
ReplyDeleteWe don't really do Christmas (well, that's not strictly true, Brenda said she has gifts for us that she'll bring sometime in the next few days) but when I want to feel the spirit of the holidays I go look at this:
https://thebloggess.com/2018/12/22/considering-this-holiday-arose-from-the-severed-head-of-a-wild-boar-i-think-its-actually-worked-out-pretty-well/
Considering that I found out about you from the Chicken's blog, which I found in the Bloggess' comment section, this somehow seemed appropriate to post here to try and cheer you up a little.
I hope you are feeling better, and I hope your family has a good holiday even though they aren't all in one place this time.
So now please tell me that this actually worked...
-Doug in Oakland
The comment worked . . . and so did the Bloggess' post, especially the otter videos at the end :D
DeleteThank you, Doug - you always have an appropriate link to share and this one was wonderful. Wishing you a good holiday.
THAT TIME OF YEAR
ReplyDeleteEchoes backwash through the years
And soon our eyes are filled with tears
For those we won’t see any more
Who said farewell and closed the door
And we shall also up and go
Our footsteps printed in the snow
Gleaming baubles on the tree
Remind us of what used to be
Beyond the sounds of Christmas cheer
I guess it’s just that time of year.
I should have hired you to write my poem for me this week, YP - well done.
DeleteHallo Jenny, I was wondering how you were with your daughter and family so far away and was going to suggest Skyping, although I'm sure you thought of that, lol. A hard time for you.
ReplyDeleteThe Walmart ad was/is sad and reminds me of when just prior to Mothers Day here quite a few years ago, at a supermarket checkout there was a lone small teddy bear left on the shelf with a tag saying Happy Mothers Day. It had three multi-coloured buttons down the front which reminded me of a cartoon my daughter used to watch called Raggydolls. Well, needless to say I bought him for myself and took the tag off. He sits in pride of place on a shelf in my bedroom. When our little grand-daughter is here, if she sees him she wants to cuddle him, then when she's forgotten about him he goes back on the shelf, out of harms way.
I'll stop my waffling and get onto business in hand, lol, the poem, which I have two of, but because of my waffling I'll use the short one.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is a busy time,
For Santa, reindeer and elves.
All Christmas presents lovingly made,
Have been brought down from the shelves.
Santa has checked his route
That he travels every year.
Certain that the stars are bright,
Helping Rudolph's way to be clear.
The reindeers are all ready,
As Santa climbs onto his sleigh.
He waves to the elves, "HO-HO-HO!"
Then - W - H - O - O - S - H
- he's on his way.
I hope you get to Skype with your daughter and family tomorrow.
Merry, Merry Christmas to you, your husband, family and everyone who visits your blog. May 2019 be a little kinder to us all. Happy thoughts!
Thank you for all those kind wishes, Joan. I hope your holiday is a happy one, and I love your story of the teddy bear. Sometimes we just need to do as you did and follow our hearts.
DeleteI understand your sadness, Jenny, but I hope that other family members that are around will cheer you. Pie is also good.
ReplyDeleteI have not been a fan of Walmart in the past but they seem to be improving their business policies when it comes to how they treat and pay their employees. This ad is lovely and it tugs at one’s emotions, which is perfect for the holidays?
Merry Christmas, Jenny and I hope the new year will bring you new, exciting adventures (visits) and many good times with those you love.
Thank you Arleen. I'm sure I'll cheer up when things are back to "normal" . . . in the meantime, as you say, other family members will help to make the day happy. Happy holidays to you and your family.
DeleteAnd a big hug back! I hope you have a good holiday despite all your family changes. This is a hard time of year in so many ways but I hope we can all also enjoy it at least a little bit. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been enjoying the music (until the last few days) so that part has been good:) I'm sure it will be even better when the four of us who are having dinner together sit down to visit and eat.
DeleteDonkey hug accepted! Have a good Christmas. Many people don't realize that some people get the blues at Christmas particularly when we've lost loved ones .
ReplyDeleteI was surprised when this started hitting me, to be honest. But I know it will pass, too. Many people have it much worse.
DeleteOkay, I didn't know what to expect and then I got all choked up watching the ad. So cute.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough time. Sending you lots of hugs in case the pie doesn't do the trick. Merry Christmas hugs. The absolute best kind. :)
Thank you, Martha! Pie AND hugs are pretty good to fix what ails ye :)
DeleteI'm so sorry you are feeling a little sad. It is hard to be without those who have always been there before, but I'd bet there are future Christmases with visits back and forth to look forward to, with new traditions being born in each place.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, River. I'm a terrible traveller but I'd try :) Thanks for the nudge to think about that.
DeleteI've just watched the video and I'm crying happy tears for the bear who found a home.
ReplyDeleteI know! It gets me every time, and I've watched it a LOT :)
DeleteMerry Christmas to you as well. I think this may be the first Christmas ever that we haven't celebrated on 'the day'. Due to circumstances we will be having our Christmas on Boxing Day.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you have it sometime, it's all good!
DeleteA jolly good Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks Delores. Sorry I didn't get your first comment published sooner! Have a really good Christmas today.
DeleteI know how you’re feeling dear Jenny. Let’s hold hands. And that is a heartwarming ad indeed. Thanks for the smile.
ReplyDeleteThank you, R. I know you know, and that in itself is a comfort.
DeleteOh my precious Jenny I just want to hug you tight and miss your forehead with all the ocean of love springing in my heart for you at the moment!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery year when we celebrate Eid I feel exactly same way!
These are the times of the year when almost nobody wants to stay away from her ,his family!
I bet at the same time even your own loved ones are missing you with same desperation!
count me ,all of your blogging friends among your loved ones my friend who want you to be happy and strong on Christmas day:)
Thinking of you with heart filled with best wishes and lots of prayers!
Hugs!!!
Thank you so much, baili . . . I know a lot of people are missing their family members at this time of year, so I am not alone! And it helps to have understanding friends :)
DeleteHappy Holidays! 🎄
ReplyDeleteThanks, John - the same to you!
DeleteI'm sorry Christmas is difficult for you this year - I hope your sadness eases soon. Sending good thoughts your way...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane; it turned out that the worst of it was Christmas Eve. By the time our company came and went on Christmas Day, I was okay again. Christmas Eve was always my favourite part of the holiday so I guess that makes sense. Thank you for your good thoughts, and I hope your Christmas was everything you hoped it would be.
DeleteBut Jenny, you weren't alone... We were all with you. Couldn't you feel all the good wishes flying across the airways? I do understand how you felt though love it can be a very difficult time of year if family and friends are missing from our lives. Sending a great big gentle hug. xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cherie, and yes it truly does help to have understanding friends in the blogosphere. I'm feeling more like myself now, luckily.
DeleteI'm so sorry you weren't in the Christmas mood! I totally understand. I hope things were better as people gathered and fed you pie! I hope you have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteP.S. That ad really brought out the waterworks!
Things were better, and I'm back to myself, thanks Diane . . . Happy New Year to you also! One more Poetry Monday to go before the new year marches in :)
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