I 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.
= new reply since forum marked as read
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. 
May you continue to have joyful days for the rest of your life.
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.
Thank you for your beautiful words & Happy Holidays!
We thought we'd lost you for a while and I thank the goddess that you survived - again! - and are back here!
You make me a better person just knowing you. Happy Holidays!
Enjoy life - it’s all we’ve got. Now get a pet😀😀
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.
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
I hope the joy and hope will stay with you.
Bill
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!
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.
Happy Holidays dear friend.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and.
🎄David and Philip are watching over you and I believe that they are smiling.
I will always be indebted to you. Happy Holidays!
With my love
Bill
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays and I will leave you with this.
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! 
Happy Holidays!
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.
Happy Holidays!
You never know when that big bug is going to bite!
Thank you for sharing your Holiday story…
Mt dad died in 1982 and I was only 17. I also have only recently gotten ober his death.
Bless you & Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
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.
Have a wonderful December in anticipation of the upcoming Christmas holidays....