Friends of the friendless
A journey to gratitude33 total reviews
Comment from June Sargent
Judging by the response to your post, you are certainly not friendless. It can be a challenge when we feel alone - especially during the holiday season. But you have had some really strong and precious relationships in your life. Quality versus quantity. Hold onto the positive energy generated by your writing. And you for sharing. Keep writing.
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
  |
Judging by the response to your post, you are certainly not friendless. It can be a challenge when we feel alone - especially during the holiday season. But you have had some really strong and precious relationships in your life. Quality versus quantity. Hold onto the positive energy generated by your writing. And you for sharing. Keep writing.
Comment Written 19-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Yes, quality versus quantity is the watchword of enduring the holiday season. Remembering the good relationships in my life carries me through the holidays. Writing always helps.
Jesse
Comment from Cindy Decker 3
Jesse,
I can relate to your story. My fiancé died 4 days before Christmas in 1995. When I helped clean out his apartment, I found the sweet, thoughtful presents he meant me to open with him on Christmas Day.
As for friends, I cherish my Fanstory friends the most. It's caring at a distance, but caring nonetheless. I still have my family to turn to, but they're busy with their own families, and sometimes don't understand my depression.
have a blessed Christmas, Jesse. You have a pal always in PA.
Blessings,
Cindy
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
Jesse,
I can relate to your story. My fiancé died 4 days before Christmas in 1995. When I helped clean out his apartment, I found the sweet, thoughtful presents he meant me to open with him on Christmas Day.
As for friends, I cherish my Fanstory friends the most. It's caring at a distance, but caring nonetheless. I still have my family to turn to, but they're busy with their own families, and sometimes don't understand my depression.
have a blessed Christmas, Jesse. You have a pal always in PA.
Blessings,
Cindy
Comment Written 19-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Hello Cindy.
Caring at a distance is a hard concept to understand since I love the one-on-one of a person in the same room with me.
Thanks for sharing your sad story about your fiance and the unopened gifts he was going to give to you if he had survived until Christmas. In a way, your depression makes sense. I too experience an anniversary of the passing away of my lover every year about the time of her passing when I feel sad and alone. You are not the only one who experiences depression this time of year.
Thanks for your offer of true friendship.
Jesse
-
Have a happy, blessed holiday season,
Jesse😊
Comment from lancellot
I have heard it said many times, that the purpose of life is to spread love to others. Sometimes, I want to believe that, and many times I see examples of that. People are community-oriented beings for a reason, right?
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
I have heard it said many times, that the purpose of life is to spread love to others. Sometimes, I want to believe that, and many times I see examples of that. People are community-oriented beings for a reason, right?
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, Lance.
Jesse
Comment from Janet Foor
So sorry for your loneliness at this blessed time of year. Thankfully, you have caring care givers in your life.
I thought about the people in my life as I read your story. Some people that I thought would be there for my whole life's story were only there for a chapter or two.
But then new people came into my life and another chapter began.
Take care my friend.
Janet
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
So sorry for your loneliness at this blessed time of year. Thankfully, you have caring care givers in your life.
I thought about the people in my life as I read your story. Some people that I thought would be there for my whole life's story were only there for a chapter or two.
But then new people came into my life and another chapter began.
Take care my friend.
Janet
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Looking at life as if in chapters is a clever way to learn from each person who moves on is a chapter in their living and learning life.
I indeed have wonderful caregivers but sometimes that isn't enough.
I can't help feeling lonely this time of year.
I feel blessed for the friends I have on Fanstory.
I am glad you are one of them, Janet.
Jesse
Comment from Annmuma
Writing can be so therapeutic and I hope your writings help to heal the wounds of loss. I lost my first husband after 40 years in January, 2003 while we walked on a path. Never ill and he simply fell over and died. I lost my second husband after 14 years to Covid in December 2020. Two of the best men that ever lived.
I can't say I know your pain because we cannot experience another's grief. I have been very fortunate in reaching the place where the all those left in my heart have become pockets of wonderous memories. I enjoy taking them out and re-experiencing them over and over - especially with my kids and grandkids. It'll be no different this Christmas when everyone will share a story about Ronnie or Randall, or both. They'll be there amongst us in our hearts.
James, I wish you a Holiday Season with good memories and opportunities to share them Merry Christmas. ann
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
Writing can be so therapeutic and I hope your writings help to heal the wounds of loss. I lost my first husband after 40 years in January, 2003 while we walked on a path. Never ill and he simply fell over and died. I lost my second husband after 14 years to Covid in December 2020. Two of the best men that ever lived.
I can't say I know your pain because we cannot experience another's grief. I have been very fortunate in reaching the place where the all those left in my heart have become pockets of wonderous memories. I enjoy taking them out and re-experiencing them over and over - especially with my kids and grandkids. It'll be no different this Christmas when everyone will share a story about Ronnie or Randall, or both. They'll be there amongst us in our hearts.
James, I wish you a Holiday Season with good memories and opportunities to share them Merry Christmas. ann
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Thanks, Ann, for sharing your thoughts and memories with me.
I appreciate your encouragement. Happy Holidays.
Jesse
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Nicely written.
I twice deleted stuff that might not have been very helpful (suggestions).
I believe that it's important to find a place where you can contribute 'something' (time, energy, goodwill): food bank, Salvation Army, hospital, political offices, library, etc.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
|
Nicely written.
I twice deleted stuff that might not have been very helpful (suggestions).
I believe that it's important to find a place where you can contribute 'something' (time, energy, goodwill): food bank, Salvation Army, hospital, political offices, library, etc.
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
-
I agree. Volunteering somewhere locally is always a good idea. Thank you for being careful about what you offer as suggestions. I appreciate your candor.
Happy Holidays!
Jesse
Comment from Wendy G
Very true, Jesse. It is so important to be outward looking and care for those who seem to be without friends especially at this season where there is frequently "joy and happiness and excitement". This is often just outwardly and people are stressed on the inside, but it is still hurtful to those who are suffering from pain, grief or loneliness. I have just returned from a Therapy Dog visit to the hospital, and have been with people suffering from all of these, and it is a strong reminder to me to be thankful for reasonable health, a home, and family. A gratitude list is a great plan.
Wendy
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
|
Very true, Jesse. It is so important to be outward looking and care for those who seem to be without friends especially at this season where there is frequently "joy and happiness and excitement". This is often just outwardly and people are stressed on the inside, but it is still hurtful to those who are suffering from pain, grief or loneliness. I have just returned from a Therapy Dog visit to the hospital, and have been with people suffering from all of these, and it is a strong reminder to me to be thankful for reasonable health, a home, and family. A gratitude list is a great plan.
Wendy
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
-
Thanks for the reminder of those who suffer more than we do as you experience while doing your therapy dog visits to places where loneliness and grief are present in huge amounts. I need to add to my gratitude list a safe and warm shelter reasonable health and a kind brother who would do anything for me.
He and I are going out for lunch on Monday, December 23rd to celebrate the holidays.
Thanks for stopping by and offering you wonderful encouragement.
Jesse
Comment from l.raven
Hi Jesse, I am so sorry for your loss
sweet guy...
I lost my husband May 2, 2007...he was a railroad
engineer...54...and I miss him so...often wonder what
we would have done in our lives...where we would
have gone???...sigh...I never did remarry...but am now
set in my ways...sometimes would love the companionship...
but I enjoy my private time...
I hope you are doing ok...getting closer to your surgery...
and I love the idea of a gratitude list...
top one that would be on my list my sweet friend...
is the gift from God...His son Jesus...
I love your story told you...very well written...
and you are still in my prayers...love Linda xxoo
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
|
Hi Jesse, I am so sorry for your loss
sweet guy...
I lost my husband May 2, 2007...he was a railroad
engineer...54...and I miss him so...often wonder what
we would have done in our lives...where we would
have gone???...sigh...I never did remarry...but am now
set in my ways...sometimes would love the companionship...
but I enjoy my private time...
I hope you are doing ok...getting closer to your surgery...
and I love the idea of a gratitude list...
top one that would be on my list my sweet friend...
is the gift from God...His son Jesus...
I love your story told you...very well written...
and you are still in my prayers...love Linda xxoo
Comment Written 18-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2024
-
Wow, Linda, you lost your husband so close to the same time as I lost Audrey! What an odd coincidence. Thanks for sharing your story of your husband who was a railroad engineer and how his passing made you feel for so long. I too never found another life partner and instead am grateful for the close friends and brother I have.
Thank you for your prayers. Your kind words mean so much to me.
Take good care of yourself, my friend.
Jesse
-
Hi Jesse, they passed 6 days apart...
that is a coincidence...
your soooo very welcome sweet guy...
you take care of yourself too Jesse...
God Bless you my friend...love xxoo
🤗🙏🌼❤️
-
Hi Linda.
We share a love of life in common.
We are survivors and never give up.
Thanks for your sweetness.
Enjoy the evening.
Jesse
-
yes we do...
smiling big...love xxoo 😁😁🤗🌼🙏
Comment from lyenochka
What a beautiful idea - a gratitude list! In my daily prayer journal, I write done specific things that I thank the Lord for each day. It does help so much to keep an attitude of gratitude to count the small daily blessings as well as the big ones like friendships and loved ones. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas and praying for lots of new joys and adventures for you in the New Year with your new knee!
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
What a beautiful idea - a gratitude list! In my daily prayer journal, I write done specific things that I thank the Lord for each day. It does help so much to keep an attitude of gratitude to count the small daily blessings as well as the big ones like friendships and loved ones. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas and praying for lots of new joys and adventures for you in the New Year with your new knee!
Comment Written 17-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
Thanks, Helen, for this encouraging review. An attitude of gratitude is a great idea to put into practice every day of the year.
Thanks for your prayers, my friend.
Jesse
-
💖🎄💞
Comment from LJbutterfly
I'm glad you shared your heartfelt feelings. The Christmas season is difficult for many people because society dictates that you must have sufficient finances to purchase gifts and you must be surrounded by happy, laughing, partying people to be happy. Anyone stuck in a hospital bed will tell you, not everyone is in a Ho, Ho, Ho mood on Christmas.
Cherish the fact you have friendly caregivers. Enjoy the memories of fun times with David. Try to put Van's email in the back of your mind. But continue to write. We all feel some type of pain and forgotten dreams. We help each other when we write. Write on Christmas day.
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
|
I'm glad you shared your heartfelt feelings. The Christmas season is difficult for many people because society dictates that you must have sufficient finances to purchase gifts and you must be surrounded by happy, laughing, partying people to be happy. Anyone stuck in a hospital bed will tell you, not everyone is in a Ho, Ho, Ho mood on Christmas.
Cherish the fact you have friendly caregivers. Enjoy the memories of fun times with David. Try to put Van's email in the back of your mind. But continue to write. We all feel some type of pain and forgotten dreams. We help each other when we write. Write on Christmas day.
Comment Written 17-Dec-2024
reply by the author on 19-Dec-2024
-
I've had surgery on Christmas Eve so I know what you mean. Thanks for the good advice. I will cherish the memories of David and Audrey and all those people who have come in and out of my life.
It is good I can turn to this site when I feel sad and lonely for companionship. I may write on Christmas if the muse moves me.
Thanks for being in my corner.
Jesse
