Blue Christmas
Whenever Christmas rolls around, I feel sick. I want to enjoy the merriment as much as most people seem to. Unfortunately, I have negative associations with the winter holidays. I’m sure I’m not alone in dreading Christmas. How can I put these associations aside in order to have a happy holiday season? — Cringing at
Christmas
It sounds as though it’s not Christmas you’re cringing at so much as the unresolved emotions it brings up for you. It’s also possible that you’re experiencing seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that affects an estimated 3 million Americans each year. Either way, counseling could be a hugely beneficial tool for exploring, processing and, one hopes, moving past these negative associations.
This is in response to “Grieving Mom,” the mother who received a letter from a woman who is alive because of an organ donation from “Grieving Mom’s” son who tragically died.
My husband died while riding his bicycle Happy birthday: for Friday, Dec. 7. This year you notice that others seem to be unusually responsive. Your magnetism teamed with your upbeat personality draws many people toward you. If you are single, you have many choices. Consider what you want from a relationship, and use it to help guide you. If you are attached, you will notice how easy it can be to get along with your sweetie. Air out your feelings rather than sit on them. PISCES reminds you of the importance of music in your life. Aries (March 21-April 19): \*\*\*\* Juggle different ideas and situations, and you will be successful. Somehow, there is a common thread that runs three years ago. We donated his organs because that’s what he had indicated he wanted. Later, I received a note from someone who had gotten a tendon from him, thanking us for making this hard decision. We were so grateful to get that letter, knowing that maybe someone else could now ride a bike or be able to walk or function normally.
My heart aches for “Grieving Mom,” but I know that the recipient of the organ was just trying to express her gratitude to that mother for giving her some more time. I hope that one day, “Grieving Mom” can accept the offering of gratitude.
— Aching Heart
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your experience and offering some heartfelt perspective.
This is a response to “Grieving Mom.” I lost my 31-year-old son to a drunken driver last year. My son was riding his bicycle crosscountry. With no hesitation, our family donated every part of his beautiful body so that others could have better lives. Greg would have wanted that. My point of this letter is through the day. After a recent happening, everyone might want to indulge each other. Follow your gut when dealing with money. Tonight: Make it your treat. Taurus (April 20-May 20): \*\*\*\* You’ll perk up by midday and use your energy in a positive way. Touch base with a friend and/or handle a meeting in the afternoon. Enjoy the sense of freedom that comes over you. A key person in your life often inspires you with his or her ideas. Tonight: Whatever makes you happy. Gemini (May 21-June 20): \*\*\* Use the morning to the max. You might want to kick back and enjoy a friend. Some of you might decide to put the finishing details on a project. to highlight how we all have different responses to tragic losses. Whereas “Grieving Mom” wants no contact with the recipient of her son’s heart and is appalled that the receiver reached out to her, I would embrace the chance to hug the individual who has my son’s heart beating in his or her body. What a gift for the both of us! Please remind your readers to take the time to become organ donors so that others might have the chance for a better life and your loved one, in a beautiful way, could live on.
— Barry
Iamso sorry for the loss of your son. It sounds as if he was a generous and kind person. Thank you for your perspective. A single organ donor may save the lives of up to eight people and improve the lives of up to 50, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“Ask Me Anything: A Year of Advice From Dear Annie” is out now! Annie Lane’s debut book — featuring favorite columns on love, friendship, family and etiquette — is available as a paperback and ebook. Visit http://www. creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. Cancer (June 21-July 22): \*\*\*\* Recognize a limitation that has been imposed upon you by someone else. Until you establish more confidence, you might not be able to break this barrier. A discussion with a friend or an associate inspires you to take a different approach. Tonight: Making fun weekend plans. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): \*\*\* Reach out for more information before making a decision. You might feel pushed and pulled in different directions. Know what you are looking for. Your creativity responds to a loved one’s ideas. Tonight: Opt for something different. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): \*\*\*\* One-on-one relating helps you detach from an immediate problem. Recognize how triggered you get at times. A loved one or family member inspires you with his or her imagination. Together, you often have a hoot. Tonight: Allow in more romance. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): \*\*\*\* Others seek you out in the morning. You might want to screen your calls or deal with an issue later in the day. What starts off as light could evolve into an important discussion. One issue might be how much time you want to invest in work. Tonight: Be a duo. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): \*\*\* Clear out as much as you can by noon. You will be focused, even though you could have a reason to be distracted. Your intuition plays a significant role in a love matter. Look at the long-term effect of a situation. Tonight: Play the night away. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): \*\*\* Funnel your creativity into a project. By midafternoon, you could be deeply involved in a situation that demands you know when to hold back and when to speak your mind. A healthy balance will draw positive results. Tonight: Play it loose and easy. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): \*\*\* Getting going might take longer than you would like. Focus on the long term and deal with an associate directly. By midday, you will perk up and return to the dynamic individual everyone counts on. Note how your intuition is right-on. Tonight: Consider starting the weekend early. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): \*\* Make an important call in the morning, when others seem more receptive. Recognize the importance of presenting yourself in a certain manner. You might be unusually lucky in a work-related situation. Tonight: Head home as soon as you can. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): \*\*\*\* Though you might hold back in the morning, by midafternoon you will be an open book. Don’t worry about others’ reactions. You know you are well-grounded. Understand that others might not agree with you. Nevertheless, a discussion is imperative. Tonight: Be creative. Born today: Football player Terrell Owens (1973), actor Jack Huston (1982), singer/ songwriter Sara Bareilles (1979)