Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Finding Joy at Christmas

 

This year has been a challenge for all of us.  We've been following the guidelines to stay safe.  Covid-19 reminds me that life can change in a moments notice.  I've always been a person that tried to roll with the punches.




Believing tomorrow will be better has always helped me to face difficulties.  My faith has taught me to rely on the One that is in control.




Still, with all that said,  I've been in a funk that surprises me.  I'm an introvert so the isolation doesn't bother me like my friends and family are experiencing.




Finding joy posting my thoughts here for the last six years has been a goal to share.




How can I do that when joy seems elusive?




I have experienced problems with depression throughout my adult life.




Why on earth would I share these thoughts with you today?



 

Because I know it is important to be real.




Because I know that I'm not the only one to have these feelings.





Because I know it will pass.





38 comments:

  1. Yes, yes, and yes. You aren't the only one. It IS important to share your feelings and yes, they will pass. Our uninvited guest this year has taken a toll on all of us, even if (like you and me) we are pretty ok with an introverted life. Yes, but not missing the hugs or up close exchanges, a trip or even picking out our own produce. They are little losses, one by one. And we are the lucky ones, who aren't being evicted or in the food bank line. Which adds to the survivor guilt thing, I think.

    What I do know is that we seem to be entering a home stretch. It's still a long field but now one with hope if we can just hold on and stay the course. And we do that any way we can. I'm doing it with Christmas decorations, filling the house with light. If I'm going to be "in," it's darned well going to look pretty! I love your beautiful tree and all the touches you shared with sweet vignettes. I couldn't help but notice your blue snowmen Debbie Mumm plates! Those are my "winter dishes," coming up when the Christmas plates go down. I love them -- they make me smile! Biggest hugs. It will get better.

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    1. Oh dear Jeanie I do pray we are in the home stretch! I've always loved decorating for Christmas, but this year is different for me. I'm not sure whether it's age or Covid-19 to blame it on. We still have boxes of Christmas decor that will not be making an appearance this year. That's neat we both have the Debbie Mumm dishes. I only have the four plates you see on the plate rack. I bought them at Goodwill a few years ago. I change up these plates to fit the season.
      Thank you so much for your thoughts today.

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  2. Praying for you right now dear Martha Ellen that your depression will lift and that you will be filled with Hope and Joy!

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  3. Hi Martha Ellen, I think you may feel this way because you care about other people. It's hard to be joyful when so many around us are struggling with their health or their finances, or the isolation that single people must endure. We are all missing our families and friends, our way of life....just the freedom we used to take for granted. So allow yourself to feel these feelings for a moment--to acknowledge that they are real--then do as you are doing--looking forward to better days for all....in the meantime, we can use this time to grow closer to the One who is in control as we lean on Him for His comfort, strength, endurance--and share this with others as you have through your lovely photos and encouraging compassionate, encouraging words. ❤️

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    1. Cathy, I so appreciate your thoughts. Being a highly sensitive person can be overwhelming. I do pray that better days are ahead with the vaccine waiting in the wings.

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  4. I'm glad you shared your truth with us. I think this virus has put a strain on all of our hearts and sensibilities. I'm usually pretty upbeat but this year has challenged me and I've been fighting feelings of doom. But we must reach for joy. The decorations will help! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

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  5. Oh Martha Ellen, I keep to myself most of the time too, so staying at home doesn't bother me like it is others. But I'm so sorry you've been in a funk lately. Thank you for sharing your precious thoughts and feelings on your blog. I think that's what our blogs are for, to share what's on our minds, whether it's fear, loneliness, joy, excitement, sadness, and so many other emotions we have from time to time. And it brought me joy seeing your beautiful home decorated for Christmas. I really love your style, and so many of the treasures in your home. That little tea pot is delightful. Your Christmas tree is so lovely sitting there in the corner all lit up. Martha Ellen, the white dove on top of your little Christmas tree made my heart sing. It even brought a tear of joy. Thank you for that tonight. I wish my dear blog friend a joyful Christmas season, and you can always e-mail me if you ever want to talk.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, you are so kind. I appreciate your sweet comments so much!

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  6. Thank you for your honesty, you are not alone, Martha Ellen. Anyone who seems all okay with this is probably hiding their truth behind a false façade. Like you, I'm okay with the isolation, but what I'm not okay with is having my freedom of choice to do what I want stolen away. I am feeling the pain of others so deeply too and this has a great impact on my mood. My heart is in so little these days, even my art is half hearted, and my prose fails. The long, dark days and bad weather add to our misery! At least it's less than a fortnight now until the light begins to return to our world.

    Hugs from Across the Pond
    Deb in Wales xoxo

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    1. Deb, the lack of freedom has so many worrying levels. I do pray that we will all stay strong and come out the other side stronger and more loving than before. Thank you for your thoughts, my friend. xoxo

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  7. It certainly has been a strange year, with disappointments and the lack of human contact so I am not surprised you are finding life difficult. I must admit for the first time in our married life I am struggling with the decorations and Christmas altogether. Like you I am hopeful that the vaccine will help. God is good and he will give us the strength to get through this. You will be in my prayers Martha, stay strong.

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    1. Lorraine, I'm praying that we all have the strength to forge forward with a new appreciation of life. I don't think any of us want to pretend things are the same--So this Christmas will be different for the whole world. Thank you for listening to my feelings.

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  8. It’s been a very tough year and so challenging to our emotions. Depression comes in varying levels doesn’t it. Hopefully we’ll pull out of this soon and get back to a more normal way of living. Take care and know that you are not alone.
    ❤️🤗

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    1. Thank you, Liz. I do have hope with the vaccine we will all begin a road to normalcy.

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  9. Yes it will pass and there is always tomorrow. It's been rough for sure. Like you, I too rely on the one who is in control. Today is so sunny and pretty that I took off early for shopping.

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    1. Betsy, it is a beautiful day! Grayden grilled pork chops for dinner. We always have our largest meal at noon. Thank you for stopping by and hearing me. Enjoy the warmer afternoon.

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  10. Thank you for sharing your heart today, dear friend! Your home looks lovely, with just the right amount of Christmas for this moment in time. I only unpacked a few touches of Christmas this year. It won't feel normal at all. I'm hopeful that next year our Christmas celebrations will be twice as sweet... with so many HUGS!!
    Our lives have been forever changed by Covid. We will have empty chairs at our tables for loved ones lost to the virus. I hope that we are learning about what is most important for our lives, our nation, and the world. Hold on to your faith, dear heart. The vaccines are just around the corner. Sending warm hugs to you and Grayden!

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    1. Dawn, I thank you for hearing my heartfelt feelings. I do hope you and John enjoy a special Christmas this year, though different from the past. Knowing the vaccine is just around the corner does give us hope for better days ahead.

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  11. Absolutely, it is good to be real. Your true friends want the real you . . . through the joy and through the sorrow. Both are a part of life, aren't they? So thank you for trusting your friends to love you in both. (Is it possible to love someone you only know online? I believe that it is. ❤)

    Yes, it has been a difficult year for all of us in many ways, but those who know Him have hope! It occurs to me that "hope" can also be elusive, like joy. But even a glimmer of it (hope in Him) will get us through to the other side. I will be praying for you, sweet friend!

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    1. Oh Cheryl, I do thank you for your loving thoughts today. They mean so much. Yes, hope is what keeps us going. Those glimmers of hope in Him will see us to the other side. I treasure your prayers, my friend.

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  12. You are definitely not alone. My tree has been standing here for a week and I have zero interest
    or desire to decorate, I've got to snap out of it, 😏 God is good. We can trust Him. This, too, shall
    pass. Thank you for your courage to be real.

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    1. Vee, I've never considered myself courageous, but this is my time to tell it like it is. I think sharing our feelings, even at what is supposed to be a joyous time, is important.
      I look forward to seeing your lovely tree when you feel like decorating it, my friend.

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  13. I have slipped into a funk a few times during the Covid pause and staying somewhat isolated from friends and family and then other times I am fine. I am looking forward to 2021 with optimism and hope! Your holiday decor is so festive. I hope you enjoy the holidays!

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    1. Patti, I've never been one to want time to pass quickly, but 2020 needs to be in the rearview mirror. Like you, I am looking forward to 2021. Thank you for stopping by. Merry Christmas!

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  14. I understand perfectly Martha Ellen, and I am very grateful that you have shared your thoughts and feelings. Thank you very much for doing so. Many of us have had such feelings and it really does help to share if we can. This has been a long road and it's not over yet but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines. We may have to be a little more patient before they are readily available but they give me hope. Your Christmas decorations are beautiful and I love your drapes! I love your teapots too! I love everything!!! Keep sharing those feelings Martha Ellen, us introverts find it difficult to do but with a little help from our friends we may succeed :) Merry Christmas and may 2021 be a very happy and safe one for you, your Loved Ones, for all of us.

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    1. Denise, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts during this unprecedented time in our lives. I'm so hopeful that with the vaccine we will all be able to get together, hug our family members, not be afraid to have someone close in the grocery store etc, etc, etc. Thank you also for your kind comments about our Christmas decorations. It has lifted my spirits somewhat bringing out the boxes and selecting pieces to brighten the days. Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend.

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    2. Back again to wish you and yours A Very Happy and Healthy New Year :) It also gave me a chance to revisit these lovely images and to thank you for your friendship throughout the past year.

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    3. Thank you, Denise for your many kindnesses! Happy New Year! It's been lovely getting to know you! xo

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  15. I'm sending a big strong hug and a hope that next year will be better. I'm glad that you felt you could open up, dear Martha Ellen. We are all in this together, here to support one another, and all of us wishing for our usual celebrations with family and friends.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Amalia, I've learned that life is not all rosy and fairytale like. Though this would be my wish, the world is in the middle of a pandemic. I am hopeful with the vaccine it will bring better days! Take care, my friend. xo

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  16. Happy New Year Martha Ellen! May peace and joy and love be with you in the new year. I look forward to reading more of your heartwarming posts ahead. Take care, and thank you for visits and comments. I appreciate them so.

    ~Sheri

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  17. Thinking of you and sending my good wishes.
    Here's to a better year in 2021, may it be happy and healthy, I really do hope so!

    All the best Jan

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  18. Dear Martha Ellen
    It is good that you shared your feelings. Holidays often bring on depression as holidays are often stressful and bring about expectations of perfection which are unrealistic. This year there has been so much illness and social isolation. I am an introvert and like you I have not felt the isolation as much as others, but I do miss being with my family. I dislike feeling that I have to be careful around them and worried that we or they will become ill. I feel sad to know other bloggers who lost loved ones to covid this year. The vaccines are beginning to be distributed and hopefully this year will begin to be better and lead us back to more normal times. Keep hope! Happy and healthy 2021

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    1. Pat, missing our family has been the most challenging. Of course there are many dealing with great loss. I'm hopeful with the vaccine we can all hug and kiss our loved ones soon. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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