Christmas is not a happy time of year for everyone. For some it is just too much to handle on their own, if you are one of those who feel the need to speak to someone or just send an email asking for help, the Samaritans are there every day 365 days a year.

Ring them on 08457 90 90 90, or look on their website for contact details.

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

Most Samaritans branches are also open for drop-in visits - for instance, the Sheffield branch is open 10am to 10 pm most days (on Sunday it shuts at 7 pm). Opening times for other branches can be found at http://www.samaritans.org/talk/local_branch.shtm#

If you find it difficult to talk about stuff, you can always use email. Send an email to jo@samaritans.org and you should get a reply within 24 hours. It is totally confidential and non-judgemental.

It's a very sad time for a lot of the elderly folk, i work at an assisted living home, most of the residents there are very rich, but dislike the holidays just like any other elderly person, christmas cheer seems to get forced upon them, carols are played constantly, santas bringing gifts around talking to them like children, most family members will take them home for christmas day, but they know it's just for that one day, back inside before dark.

Also seing their grandchildren once a year isn't so nice either as it's just to get a nice big check from gram, and belive me the residents know all too well.

anyhow i could go on and on, but won't, have a good christmas day, don't eat too much.

poppins

Originally posted by poppins
It's a very sad time for a lot of the elderly folk, i work at an assisted living home, most of the residents there are very rich, but dislike the holidays just like any other elderly person, christmas cheer seems to get forced upon them, carols are played constantly, santas bringing gifts around talking to them like children, most family members will take them home for christmas day, but they know it's just for that one day, back inside before dark.

Also seing their grandchildren once a year isn't so nice either as it's just to get a nice big check from gram, and belive me the residents know all too well.

anyhow i could go on and on, but won't, have a good christmas day, don't eat too much.

poppins

That's so true poppins, especially the bit about the big cheque from Gram. A friend of ours who works in one of those nursing homes says they are known as Granny Farms.

That's why we should always remember to be nice to our kids...they have to choose the home that we are put into.

Merry Christmas to all our readers. :)

My wife and I have a 95 year old aunt living with us. She came over here from Ireland way back when Ellis Island was still in business. For years she helped us out and had dinner waiting for us every Sunday till she could no longer see to drive. We decided eight years ago to give her a home here, and while it can be a chore at times, I don't regret it one bit. She loves a drop of Canadian Whisky, and her cats. Connecticut takes care of her for a couple of weeks in the summer so we can go on vacation. under a program called respite care. Are we looking for a big legacy? We're not and neither are her great grandnieces.

Originally posted by buck
My wife and I have a 95 year old aunt living with us. She came over here from Ireland way back when Ellis Island was still in business. For years she helped us out and had dinner waiting for us every Sunday till she could no longer see to drive. We decided eight years ago to give her a home here, and while it can be a chore at times, I don't regret it one bit. She loves a drop of Canadian Whisky, and her cats. Connecticut takes care of her for a couple of weeks in the summer so we can go on vacation. under a program called respite care. Are we looking for a big legacy? We're not and neither are her great grandnieces.

Good for you Buck, and you are in the majority, thankfully, but it's the same old thing bad things are remembered long after the good is forgotten.

Originally posted by owdlad
Christmas is not a happy time of year for everyone. For some it is just too much to handle on their own, if you are one of those who feel the need to speak to someone or just send an email asking for help, the Samaritans are there every day 365 days a year.

Ring them on 08457 90 90 90, or look on their website for contact details.

http://www.samaritans.org.uk/

Yep, very well said. And as of next year Samaritans will be replacing Oxfam as one of the organisations that I donate monthly to via direct debit.

Originally posted by Lickszz
Yep, very well said. And as of next year Samaritans will be replacing Oxfam as one of the organisations that I donate monthly to via direct debit.

Well done Lickszz, I am sure a lot of people will benefit from your kindness.
Merry Christmas to you, and all members of the forum.