Xmas and family tragedies

[Haltickling]

Each and every year, we hear about horrible family tragedies happening on Xmas. In my hometown, a father killed his 8 year old son because of a struggle over his custody on the kid, then he committed suicide. Not far away, a mother killed her 3 and 5 years old daughters; she had mental problems and feared that she would be sent to a psychiatric ward soon, so she didn't want to leave the kids behind. Her mother found the dead kids!

It seems that Christmas puts a special strain on families who already have lots of problems. I'm aware that we can't fix that problem easily, yet my question is: What can we do about it? Could we try to care more about families in trouble, particularly around Xmas? Instead of rushing to buy all the useless presents for people whom we often don't like anyway, I mean?

Just a little food for thoughts...

 

[Horatio]

Each and every year, we hear about horrible family tragedies happening on Xmas. In my hometown, a father killed his 8 year old son because of a struggle over his custody on the kid, then he committed suicide. Not far away, a mother killed her 3 and 5 years old daughters; she had mental problems and feared that she would be sent to a psychiatric ward soon, so she didn't want to leave the kids behind. Her mother found the dead kids!

It seems that Christmas puts a special strain on families who already have lots of problems. I'm aware that we can't fix that problem easily, yet my question is: What can we do about it? Could we try to care more about families in trouble, particularly around Xmas? Instead of rushing to buy all the useless presents for people whom we often don't like anyway, I mean?

Just a little food for thoughts...

I couldn't agree more. It's a stressful time of year, and your message is dead on. And, to take it one step further, maybe volunteer some time? Donate to a charity?

Oh, and Haltickler, I had to chuckle. As I was coming to the end - reading your wonderful words of holiday warmth, it was funny to see a tied-up chick being tickle-tortured right underneath them. Hee hee.

 

[GirlWhoLikes2Laugh]

I know what you mean Haltickling about awful things that happen around the holidays. I've heard there can be a lot of suicides which is a shame.

 

[Taye]

The Christmas of 2007 will go down in history books for me..
My dad, just sick of whats been going on in his life, walked out on my family on christmas morning! he told us all he didnt know when he was gunna be back. he was found later at a casino not to far from the family home. it was a fucked up day that had everyone in tears.
he came back the next day tho.
Counseling isnt too far away from now..

 

[steph]

Very very common feeling. The most suicides happen during the holidays, statistically speaking. Most of my holiday memories as a child are less than fun (parents split when I was a kid, I remember lots of fighting, screaming, blah, blah, blah.) When I was old enough to decide for myself, there were the guilt trips "Oh, you like the BOYFRIEND'S family better now, suddenly?"
Gimme a break.
Best holidays I ever had, I'd say things like I was going to Mexico with friends~pretty chicken shit I know, but it was the end of the fighting.
Now I work in a hospital and see how many strangers are in the same boat. Much tragedy, so much sorrow. A LOT of people don't deal well.
Us Scrooges gotta stick together!
XOXO