General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI was bitten by a huge bug this morning.
Please let me explain. I met the love of my life in 1990 (David) & we bought a house together in 1993 and David's biological son (Phillip) moved in with us & we were just the happy little family.
In 2000 David got sick and he had his good days & bad days. Then an unbelievably bad day came in April 2003. Phillip was visiting his Grandmother in Waycross GA., he was walking home from the high school after playing basketball and was hit by a drunk driver. He was air lifted to the Jacksonville trauma center in Florida. Needless to say we rushed to Jacksonville as fast as we could. His trauma doctor said his brain was swelling and unless it stopped swelling Phillip would not survive. We waited three days & the doctor said there was no hope and we decided to take him off life support & Phillip did not survive (his life was taken from him at only 17). I knew David would not recover from this and his health kept going downhill. David passed away in February 2006 and that was the worst day of my life.
I felt lost & alone but the survivor in me kicked in & life went on for me with the exception of holidays. I refused to celebrate or decorate because the spirit in me for that was gone.
in 2022 in August I passed out from low blood pressure & broke both bones in my lower left leg and while I was being transported to the hospital I went into respiratory arrest & they bagged me till they got me to the hospital (of course I was out for all of this). As I lay in the ICU on a respirator they had called my Siblings who were on my emergency contact to make my final arrangements. My one brother was adamant that this was my time to go & refused to sign off on taking me off life support. Two days later I can only explain it as a miracle, they saw life in me & started the process of taking me off the respirator. I then went to the Ortho wing, then to a rehab center. While I was in the rehab center Hurricane Ian hit with a force to cause major damage to most of S.W. Florida (while in rehab that's another story for another time). The house that we all lived in was heavily damaged. To this day I still have not seen one penny from my insurance company. That is what I came home to from the rehab center. To make the house somewhat livable I hired some people to do what they could do with the money I offered (I refused to empty out my savings account).
Well this past summer I decided to sell the home I had so many memories in, and I lost a lot of money on it because of its condition. I took the money from the sale of my home and a big chunk of my savings account & bought a brand new up to 2023 hurricane standards but a smaller house that I could easily manage.
Now to the huge bug that bit me. I have been in my new home for a couple of months & when I woke up this morning something got into me and I pulled our old Christmas tree, lights & decorations & decked the halls like I have never done before. I have been cooking & baking all day, I even have christmas music playing throughout my home. I guess the spirit I lost so long ago decided to come back to my new home where new memories can be made.
This is my christmas story for you all to enjoy. Happy Holidays al all my friends on DU.
P.S. Please forgive my Grammar.
Hekate
(91,003 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)Jerry2144
(2,129 posts)Im glad you found peace and are able to turn the page on your healing. Decorate and commemorate the loved ones youve had throughout your life
William769
(55,150 posts)Ilsa
(61,710 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 3, 2023, 12:02 AM - Edit history (1)
My sons and I barely get through the holidays. I lost my husband, their father, suddenly in 2022. Holidays are the worst, but they are getting better.
You might consider giving your "testimony" to a bereavement group. It may help inspire them to know that good days are ahead.
I am so happy for you.
William769
(55,150 posts)Elessar Zappa
(14,126 posts)May you continue to have joyful days for the rest of your life.
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Hoosier
(7,455 posts)Disaster after disaster. In massive debt, health problems galore for me and my family.
By the Fall, things had calmed a bit. And I decided to dive in to the holidays. I did Halloween big and Christmas big. It did wonders for my spirits and the spirits of my family.
Embrace it!!!
I wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest Mew Year!
William769
(55,150 posts)debm55
(25,692 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)BoomaofBandM
(1,776 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)Lonestarblue
(10,148 posts)I may just pull out a few Christmas decorations myself this year after reading your story.
William769
(55,150 posts)MuseRider
(34,136 posts)Thank you for sharing it William769. It gives me, and probably all of us, hope for when our difficult times come around. I am so so SO very happy go know you feel like you are moving past it. I am hoping you continue feeling more whole as you go. You lived through a very difficult time. Bless you.
William769
(55,150 posts)yardwork
(61,753 posts)The courage to go on - and on, and on - despite blow after blow.
You are one tough dude, brother, and I love you for it.
William769
(55,150 posts)Thank you for your beautiful words & Happy Holidays!
yardwork
(61,753 posts)We thought we'd lost you for a while and I thank the goddess that you survived - again! - and are back here!
ismnotwasm
(42,023 posts)You know, I dont personally celebrate Christmas but I make sure to show up for others Joy. I think stories like yours ARE Christmas ❤️💕💙💜💖💚💛
Delphinus
(11,845 posts)You spoke my words exactly.
William769
(55,150 posts)You make me a better person just knowing you. Happy Holidays!
spanone
(135,922 posts)malaise
(269,265 posts)Enjoy life - its all weve got. Now get a pet😀😀
William769
(55,150 posts)malaise
(269,265 posts)Evolve Dammit
(16,812 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(175,769 posts)What an inspirational story. Strangely, while you were posting this, my house cleaner and I were bringing my Christmas decorations into my apartment from the storage area. The tree is up, though not decorated yet. It isn't even December and there's time.
I'm so happy that this bug got you, after you've been through so much.
William769
(55,150 posts)It was our family tradition to always decorate for Christmas the evening of Thanksgiving.
May you have a most joyous Holiday Season.
Your online pal
Bill
niyad
(113,800 posts)with us, both the sorrow and the joy. May this be but the beginning if a glorious new chapter for you.
William769
(55,150 posts)Tanuki
(14,929 posts)and wouldn't let them pull the plug! I am so happy that you can once again celebrate the holidays with joy and hope.
🌲🎁🎅🛷🦌🦌🦌🦌🦌
William769
(55,150 posts)Sailingdiver
(140 posts)Good on you!
BaronChocula
(1,626 posts)❤️❤️❤️
William769
(55,150 posts)redqueen
(115,108 posts)🥹🎄💕
William769
(55,150 posts)redqueen
(115,108 posts)brer cat
(24,645 posts)I hope the joy and hope will stay with you.
William769
(55,150 posts)Bill
pandr32
(11,638 posts)You've been through so much and survived. May you continue to embrace the good stuff and really live your life while you can.
Happy holidays!
William769
(55,150 posts)gay texan
(2,489 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)mcar
(42,452 posts)You have lived with so much pain and have found your way forward (not through, not despite). I am filled with admiration for you.
Happy holidays dear friend.
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays dear friend.
colorado_ufo
(5,743 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)a kennedy
(29,770 posts)Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and.
William769
(55,150 posts)Trueblue Texan
(2,451 posts)...and by the way, your grammar is fine.
William769
(55,150 posts)littlemissmartypants
(22,853 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)MOMFUDSKI
(5,769 posts)Make yourself a very merry Christmas 🎄.
William769
(55,150 posts)calimary
(81,566 posts)I thought you meant an actual bug! The six-legged kind, with antennae and maybe also some wings.
THIS is MUCH better!
William769
(55,150 posts)Tumbulu
(6,292 posts)sending love and gratitude.
William769
(55,150 posts)GAJMac
(169 posts)That is the subject line I use for certain email messages I forward from DU (and other sites) to friends and family. Usually a heartwarming, tender message that illustrates the good left in this world.
I hope you don't mind, I'm forwarding your story with that subject line.
Have a very merry Christmas, and I'm so glad the joy has returned.
William769
(55,150 posts)Kali
(55,027 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)boston bean
(36,224 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)sheshe2
(84,029 posts)🎄David and Philip are watching over you and I believe that they are smiling.
William769
(55,150 posts)I will always be indebted to you. Happy Holidays!
With my love
Bill
Permanut
(5,697 posts)We truly never know what's around the next corner.
It's heartwarming to hear how you have met your challenges.
William769
(55,150 posts)C Moon
(12,225 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays!
barbtries
(28,818 posts)you've been through so much. I'm really happy you got out the christmas stuff. It took me 17 years after my daughter died to do it. It was weird unwrappng all the figurines wrapped in newspaper from the year 2000.
This year my work ran out and money is an issue for the first time in several years, so my plan is to get it all out and decorate the shit out of my house. There may not be a bunch of presents but there will be some christmas spirit if i can manage it!
Enjoy yourself. Enjoy the lights and the little statues and all of it to the max. Merry Christmas!!
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays!
SWBTATTReg
(22,196 posts)It had to be hard for you to write about them, but in a selfish way, I am glad you did write, and share w/ all of us on DU these memories. Thank you and I hope that you take a little love from me to you. Bless you and your precious memories.
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays and I will leave you with this.
betsuni
(25,769 posts)Raine
(30,541 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)GeoWilliam750
(2,522 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)CommonHumanity
(246 posts)AKwannabe
(5,688 posts)Bug
🎄
William769
(55,150 posts)Niagara
(7,729 posts)It sounds that your health is going much better for you and that is truly wonderful. I remember when you were in rehab during the hurricane.
Here's to you and your improved health!
William769
(55,150 posts)murielm99
(30,780 posts)We do a little less than we used to, but it is because our family is scattered across the country these days. I bake less after covid. I used to give cookies away to everyone. We still decorate and go out to all kinds of events.
I think the season is fun and important. I am glad this feeling has been renewed in you.
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays!
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)I am so happy to hear that you are up to celebrating the holidays this year!
Sometimes, it just needs to speak to you quietly in your spirit to let you know that this is what you need at this time. We don't always hear that soft voice.
Have a wonderful holiday season Bill.
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays!
Hugin
(33,222 posts)You never know when that big bug is going to bite!
Thank you for sharing your Holiday story
William769
(55,150 posts)blm
(113,131 posts)Happy for you.
🎄🎄🫶🏽🎄🎄
William769
(55,150 posts)LetMyPeopleVote
(145,827 posts)I am so happy for you.
William769
(55,150 posts)TygrBright
(20,777 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)LittleGirl
(8,292 posts)Grief is a process and Ive been through it myself.
Dad died in 75 and I was 15. I thought I could get through it but realized last year I was traumatized by the loss. Ive lost friends, cousins and family members over the years, then in 18 my oldest brother died. Then 6 weeks later my sister had a stroke. She survives. 6 months after my brother died, my youngest brother died suddenly. I thought it would kill my mother. She passed in 2021 but I couldnt visit because of covid.
I found great comfort listening to Anderson Coopers podcast called All There Is last fall. It transformed my view of grief and Im so much better. Maybe it will help you too.
I put up the Xmas tree with just the lights after we changed our clocks because I felt it was too dark for too many hours and it helped me too. Sending hugs your way. Peace to you.
William769
(55,150 posts)Mt dad died in 1982 and I was only 17. I also have only recently gotten ober his death.
Bless you & Happy Holidays!
LittleGirl
(8,292 posts)viva la
(3,358 posts)Here's mine. Have a wonderful peaceful holiday.
William769
(55,150 posts)Wild blueberry
(6,674 posts)Thank you for sharing your life story with us. Your love for David and Phillip, and for life, shines out.
Joy can come at any time. Three cheers!!! Thank you.
William769
(55,150 posts)BobTheSubgenius
(11,575 posts)Both eyes, in fact. I wish you an absolutely fabulous Xmas and the rest of the holiday season, too!!
William769
(55,150 posts)Happy Holidays!
AllyCat
(16,260 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)herding cats
(19,569 posts)I just drug my decorations out of storage and my own tree is going up!
Thank you for your uplifting post and as always my heart to you. ❤️
William769
(55,150 posts)BlueTexasMan
(165 posts)Keep on truckin'!
William769
(55,150 posts)greblach
(257 posts)I was really hoping it wasn't a real bug...we took a trip to Kauai last spring and I saw an incredibly large cockroach where we were staying, really unsettling... PS your grammar is fine...
William769
(55,150 posts)CrispyQ
(36,556 posts)You are the 2nd person who I've heard say they are in the spirit this year after not being that way for some time.
William769
(55,150 posts)JohnSJ
(92,494 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)JohnSJ
(92,494 posts)KS Toronado
(17,440 posts)William769
(55,150 posts)FakeNoose
(32,866 posts)Have a wonderful December in anticipation of the upcoming Christmas holidays....