“I think I’m going to be sick.”

[Cleita]

6. I lost my husband three days before Christmas eight years ago.

The hurt doesn't go away even now, for me and the family. For several years neither of us could even decorate the house for Christmas and now although we do try to celebrate, there is that big hurt there. I feel so bad for those families. They need so much support from friends, neighbors and extended family right now I can't tell you how much. That first year, a neighbor included us in her family dinner. We didn't want to go but they insisted. It helped being around other people. (She has a large extended family.) Even if friends and neighbors bring them Xmas dinner food if they can't get them to come to dinner, it will help them a lot.