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Christmas 2009, bittersweet  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: Wed Dec 23rd, 2009 05:23 pm
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joecb
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Just thought I would talk about a few things that are on my mind, this Christmas.

 

My oldest son Luke and his wife Bethann had twin baby girls last week, both healthy, and all are home in Albany, NY.

My wife Eileen and I are leaving tomorrow to spend Christmas with them, we have not yet seen the babies, other than in photos, due to my work schedule.

My wife has had some cervical spine issues this last week and has been in serious pain, and is just today feeling better.

 

We have been planning on my youngest son Bryan to come up from Savannah, Ga. to my  son Luke's for Christmas, but just yesterday he said he does not have the money to travel, even though I offered to give him the money to pay for his drive.

He says he has alot to do before starting the spring semester.

when he got out of the Army, last March, he decided to stay in Savannah, where he was stationed to go to school there, and I think to stay close to the guys from his unit, he was a ranger, Recon, stationed at Hunter Army Air Base, I think maybe a little PTSD from his last Afghan tour., He was wounded, and so were two others in his team.

That was a very big dissapointment, that he decided not to come up. We have not been all together for Christmas in over six years.

 

Now my Middle son Colin, who is a Navy Corpsman just got orders about two weeks ago to deploy to Afhganistan with 3/6 out of Camp Lejuene.

He is home now on leave until 01/03, when he will report to LeJuene to leave. His unit left last week, and he will hook up with them there.

 

He was going to come up to my son Luke's on Christmas Eve, but now changed his mind to be with his girlfriend on Christmas, and will drive up the day after to my son Luke's to see the babies, before he leaves.

 

Thanks for letting me clear my mind.

 

 

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 Posted: Wed Dec 23rd, 2009 05:32 pm
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Tony Duronio
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joecb wrote: Just thought I would talk about a few things that are on my mind, this Christmas.

 

My oldest son Luke and his wife Bethann had twin baby girls last week, both healthy, and all are home in Albany, NY.

My wife Eileen and I are leaving tomorrow to spend Christmas with them, we have not yet seen the babies, other than in photos, due to my work schedule.

My wife has had some cervical spine issues this last week and has been in serious pain, and is just today feeling better.

 

We have been planning on my youngest son Bryan to come up from Savannah, Ga. to my  son Luke's for Christmas, but just yesterday he said he does not have the money to travel, even though I offered to give him the money to pay for his drive.

He says he has alot to do before starting the spring semester.

when he got out of the Army, last March, he decided to stay in Savannah, where he was stationed to go to school there, and I think to stay close to the guys from his unit, he was a ranger, Recon, stationed at Hunter Army Air Base, I think maybe a little PTSD from his last Afghan tour., He was wounded, and so were two others in his team.

That was a very big dissapointment, that he decided not to come up. We have not been all together for Christmas in over six years.

 

Now my Middle son Colin, who is a Navy Corpsman just got orders about two weeks ago to deploy to Afhganistan with 3/6 out of Camp Lejuene.

He is home now on leave until 01/03, when he will report to LeJuene to leave. His unit left last week, and he will hook up with them there.

 

He was going to come up to my son Luke's on Christmas Eve, but now changed his mind to be with his girlfriend on Christmas, and will drive up the day after to my son Luke's to see the babies, before he leaves.

 

Thanks for letting me clear my mind.

 

 


Joe,

Though not the primary focus of the forum, always feel free to express yourself here. Amazing how this time of the season brings a sense of joy to our lives....and a whole lot of pain at the same time. I think we all feel that in some way.

I wish you and your family well. Just be there for your boys.....we will be praying for your son that will be going overseas. Enjoy the wonderful new lives that will be looking to Grandpa for guidance and love as they grow.

Merry Christmas.

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 Posted: Wed Dec 23rd, 2009 07:56 pm
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scottran
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Joe, Keep your chin up and enjoy spending time with your family at Christmas.  I am sure those that cant be with you will find a way to be there in one way or another, by phone or maybe the net. 

The holidays are always a bad time for me as  I would give anything to have a child.  Christmas just seems empty without children to me.  This year for the first time we havent even put up a tree.  But, I still have a shred of hope that we may have a baby someday soon.

Merry Christmas

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 Posted: Thu Dec 24th, 2009 01:46 am
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IanM
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Yeah - bittersweet, indeed.

This year my Dad is in hospital for Christmas and until 30 December, the consequence of a lung infection on top of the other breathing dramas he has, and which I suspect will take him from us one day in the not too distant future. Looks like Christmas this year will be spent wih pork and turkey sandwiches, and a little bit of Christmas pudding with brandy cream at his bedside. But you know what - it will still be fun, and we will make the most of it. 

Like Scott, I have no kids. My family is pretty much myself, my sister and Dad.

Joe - how proud I would be to have even had kids, and how proud you should be of the fine work Luke, Colin and Bryan are doing! It is perfectly fine to miss them and wish them well, and even to wish you could spend more time with them, or that circumstances were different and they could fnd the resources to spend more time with you. It is because you are a caring and normal Dad. I feel for you. I kinda live by the principle that you open your door an invite everyone in, and those that want to, enter. I remember reading once that "..home is a nice, safe, soft place to land...". If you do that and make home the inviting place Iam sure tha it already is - then you have done your best, and nobody could argue otherwise.

Time spent apart from loved ones is soon forgotten amidst the memories of being together - and I hope this is the case for y'all

Enjoy your Christmas Joe, Scott, Tony and everone else here on this fine site.

I raise a glass to you all and I wish you a wonderful and happy 2010.

IanM hand6.gif

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 Posted: Thu Dec 24th, 2009 02:11 am
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Graham
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From me, a wonderful, blessed and merry Christmas to each of the special WIS friends on this forum I have been interacting with.  May we spare a thought at this time for those that are in need.  I will be thinking of those that mentioned their specifics on this thread, and others that I know that have specific needs.
I consider myself blessed with a healthy family, although this Christmas will be sad for us, as my mom passed away in July.
May we all reflect on the things that can make a difference in our lives and that of others at this time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, 3T!
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 Posted: Thu Dec 24th, 2009 10:44 am
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Dragnattck
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Thia year has been a rough 1 for me as well with mixed blessings.. From the dogs eating rat poison and all of them surviving tho a huge hit on the pocket book, My brother almost losing his house, once again almost completely drain our savings helping him... Supporting my sister a neice thru her unemployment and then care accident.. my daughter and her boyfriend losing their jobs and apartment in Mi. so a shipped them home to us...

Positives.. I got my Harley i got my daughter home and became a grandpa, my sister is finally starting to recovery from her accident.. The making of some special friends here on 3T and  the kind words members and encouragement they show for each other and towards myself. Learning a bit about some of members here who are or have served our nation ( a special thank you, may God always bless you).  I feel truly blessed..

 

And finally after 2 years of saving, credit correcting, and months of ups and downs, My family finally got the keys to our first home last night...I am finally a home owner.( the Harley helped my credit score enough to allow us getting the loan :) )

So to all my fellow WIS here at 3T may your Christmas be warm and filled with love and may the New Year bring you tons of joy and many new watches :)

my deepest thanks to you all for allowing me into this wonder addiction and forum

Greg

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 Posted: Thu Dec 24th, 2009 11:20 am
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hucky
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Hang in there Joe,

Its true that We never know what life hands us.

Live it like theres no tomorrow!

enjoy your holidays,  Where there is disappointment, there is joy
Nothing good or bad ever lasts forever.

Happy Festivus

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 Posted: Thu Dec 24th, 2009 11:46 am
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KenC
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I don't think that there is any Christmas that is not bittersweet for adults.  I spent Christmas 1968 in the hospital after getting blown up by a hand grenade which killed a friend of mine.  I spent too many Christmases away from home in the field or patrolling the Czech border.  I have one daughter from whom I have been estranged for several years.  My PTSD is killing me and my osteoarthritis is crippling me, and I lost two of my dogs since AUG with old age and strokes...and financially, things suck...not to mention the unexpected passing of Carole (TNY).

On the plus side, I have been blessed with a wonderful supportive wife who understands what is happening.  I have twin 10-year old boys which is a miracle in itself at my age, they are bright and happy "A" students and great athletes who love me unconditionally even though sometimes my pain keeps me from doing things with them.  They have rescued 2 young dogs and are getting over their loss.  I have my Army buddies and my friends from 3T.

The bittersweet Christmases for children are those that spend them without their Dad or Mom, many of them because of deployment.  The bittersweet Christmas for kids is those of the lower ranking enlisted men, especially those that are deployed who get very little if anything because of finances.

Joe, I would only tell you that your son probably does have PTSD whether he realizes it or not.  Encourage him to go to the VA and get tested.  Encourage him to attend classes and groups at the VA or, preferably, the VET Center (which is VA funded, but totally separate and different).  We have a saying, "It takes the strength of a warrior to seek help".  Obviously, your son Bryan, is a warrior, but he will still need a very supportive and understanding family.  Medical research has proven that combat causes actual chemical changes to your brain, and the major result (PTSD) are wanting to be alone, depression, anger and procrastination.  Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

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 Posted: Mon Dec 28th, 2009 07:38 pm
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Paxman
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Thanks for sharing and all the best.

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