Christmas just isn't the same

Please forgive me but sometimes I get emotional around the holidays.. because my daddy isn't here. Some people call me crazy because I still hang up my daddy's stocking. I do it to honor his memory.. but Christmas just isn't the same and it never will be again.

I can understand how you feel, as my own dad passed three years ago. Christmastime brings back a flood of memories. It really is a bittersweet time of year.

I think it's sweet that you still hang his stocking.

How sweet of you to hang up a stocking in his memory
That is wonderful how you had that close of a relationship with your dad...
He may not be here physically but he will always be with you
Even though it may be tough, we hope you are doing okay

This is my first Christmas without my dad. I am not really sure what to expect yet. I know it will never be the same again without him though.

I'm sorry you are feeling down.


You're right, it won't ever be the same. That doesn't mean that it won't ever be wonderful. I lost my mom 17 years ago and it took a few years for me to realize that by focusing on what I was missing I was failing to live in and enjoy what I had.

It's two years since my Dad passed away. I know what you mean. I shed a lot of tears while I cook the turkey, but I smile lots too. Dad was the cook in our family, and the bird was one of his favourite things to do in the whole year. These days, we do it "together".

Your stocking tradition is sweet. He may not be physically present, but he's with you.

Originally Posted by catlover19

This is my first Christmas without my dad. I am not really sure what to expect yet. I know it will never be the same again without him though.

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I am so sorry for your loss. I remember my first Christmas without my daddy. My mom didn't want to stay here so we stayed with my grandparents. This is my 5th Christmas without him.. but I still miss him and I always will. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Things around here weren't too bad just after my husband's dad passed away, but his mom passed just after Thanksgiving 2004, that year and 2005 we didn't even put up a tree. Last year I put it up, but never decorated it, this year its up, but still not decorated.

Oh honey, you aren't alone This is my 5th Christmas without my dad, and my 3rd Christmas without my mom. I'm just now getting to the point that I can enjoy it on my own, but they are still with me. I think hanging up his stocking is a wonderful way to make him a part of Christmas.

I went through box after box to find the traditional family ornament that was my dad...Scrooge! It's kind of like a shrinky-dink ornament..one of many my mom and I made one year when I was little. We always called dad Scrooge because he always complained about decorating for Christmas and was in a rotten mood for a month, but come Christmas morning, he was the biggest kid of all.

You need to include the people you love in the holiday, even if they aren't with you physically, because they are still with you in spirit and in your heart. It is hard sometimes...mom always said Christmas was bitter-sweet. I didn't understand what that meant for a long time. Now I do.

Originally Posted by babygirl2000

I am so sorry for your loss. I remember my first Christmas without my daddy. My mom didn't want to stay here so we stayed with my grandparents. This is my 5th Christmas without him.. but I still miss him and I always will. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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My mom didn't want to be in her house either, but she sold it. It was looking like she wasn't going to get it sold before Christmas, but she did and she moves into her new house in just over a week. Me and my boyfriend will be staying with her on Christmas Day so that she is not too lonely.

I think every person I've ever known whos lost a parent feels that way. It's completely understandable and I think it's nice you hang his stocking to honor his memory.

I haven't lost either parent yet! Thank you Jesus! But my son has, and ever since Marvin died, I have felt that way!!! It just doesn't seem right! I dread it actually, but it has gotten a lot better!
The first yr or two I wanted to get out of my own skin! It was so awful,
on Christmas morning, just Jace and I, seemed like there weren't enough
presents, there wasn't someone there to help me put them together etc.
Just felt so lonely!!!!
Anyway a councelor told us to start a new tradition, we did! That has helped
and it gave Jace and I something to look forward too come Christmas time!!!
We go and buy a new ornament in honor of Marvin! It is of a Dove, the sign of peace! Reason being: The day we buried him, my BIL was outside at his house, when he came running inside to tell Marvin's sister to come and look...
there was a white dove sitting on their fence.....He said, "I have lived here for 30 yrs. and I have never seen a white dove here.....he said "That's Bull!"
Bull was my husband's nickname!
So whenever the tradition started that was how I picked what we should do!
I know that was Bull that day, letting them know he was at peace!!!
I think that is awesome!!!
I think people deal with things all differently, I believe you need to do whatever, however long you want to do it! It's all about making you feel better and if hanging his stocking up helps you, well go for it! Who cares what others think!!
Have a good one sweetie! I'll be thinking of you!!
Monique

Awwwwww He'll be watching down on you sweets

My dads been gone for 25 years now, but i think of him and anyone else that was close to me on christmas eve night My dad loved christmas just like me, but by thinking of him he's still alive in my heart

Monique, i love the advice you and Jace were given when Marvin passed