Comments on: The sadness Christmas can sometimes bring

By: Rod MacKenzie

Rod MacKenzie — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:35:10 +0000

Thanks for sharing Lyndall. I am glad you can have Christmas with your friends. Though not religious it is sad to hear what you said about the churches. After all the word church refers to “body of people”, not an empty building. The neglect of “Senior citizens” over this period is a telling indictment on society - the exact opposite of the Christmas message is accomplished.

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By: Lyndall Beddy

Lyndall Beddy — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:30:02 +0000

This post I can relate to.

I loved Christmas as a child; and when my children were young.

Now the stress starts to build up in me when the advertising and hype starts.

Every Christmas I tell myself I should DO something for the old, the poor, the homeless - but I don’t. I just feel the pain.

And what I hate the most is how the churches and charities “get Christmas over with early” with their childrens’ parties and events days before, so that they can spend their own Christmas with their families.

If I had money and/or influence I would start an NGO for people who are available for the destitute ON CHRISTMAS DAY! People like me, with children grown up and far from home.

Luckily I have a friend who sends her children to their father every Christmas, and takes a break herself. At Christmas she holds a party for all her friends whose families are far away.

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By: sjm

sjm — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:01:10 +0000

Unfair labour practice?
Have you lost your morality?

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By: Tinyiko Sam Maluleke

Tinyiko Sam Maluleke — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:53:32 +0000

http://tsmaluleke.blogspot.com/2009/12/sadness-in-joy-of-christmas.html

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By: Rod MacKenzie

Rod MacKenzie — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:21:23 +0000

Womba - absolutely. One has to be so realistic. And some beggars on the streets, research has shown, simply prefer being there, on the streets.
Bless you Linda, nice to hear from you, I do envy you down there in Wellington. One day we will meet up again and do Scrabble.

Merry Christmas to you all and all the best for the new year.
Warm wishes
Rod

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By: MLH

MLH — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:39:39 +0000

I have always hated spending Christmas with other families that I barely know and do all I can, usually, to opt out. People are always so kind, that I feel patronised.
Now that I am old, I am as happy to spend the day with close friends, as they are with us. Once all your close relations have died or are far away, it seems easier.
Christmas remains about Christ, rather than gifts, drunkeness and fun.
Tonight we will spend the evening with ‘waifs and strays’ a dear friend is getting together. That makes us part of those. Yet I don’t feel patronised! We’ll go with them to midnight mass afterwards (the clincher) and tomorrow we each take 33% of the meal over the road to dear neighbours. It all works for me.

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By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:25:55 +0000

Wonderful blog, Rod! Sometimes, even in the middle of a great, big family Christmas, one can still feel deeply alone, believe it or not. The obvious and deep happiness you currently experience with your Marion gives me great hope! Thank you for this honest, open-hearted posting. And roll on the day when you guys get down here to NZ!!

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By: Mark Robertson

Mark Robertson — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:14:50 +0000

The real happiness I get from Christmas is finding people who really are in need and deserving - car guards, people who are homeless, foreign refugees in SA many of whom are really deserving, hard working people with multiple degrees and are working as waiters or car guards - and giving them R100 or more each. I can’t afford to do it for everyone I see, and I don’t give money to children or substance abusers as it encourages dependency, delinquency and makes their problems worse - but I believe the value of this gift is greater than any gifts that we give our nearests and dearests.

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By: Womba

Womba — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:21:24 +0000

Top notch! Of course, if you DO go out at night in some places to find a person who is alone, you might just end up without your wallet and with a nasty puncture wound when you get to the emergency ward.

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By: ian shaw

ian shaw — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:42:55 +0000

For the emotional deprivations you’ve suffered as a young man, you were finally rewarded with a lovely, understanding and warm wife. I congratulate you and feel taht I have a lot in common with your experiences and have also been rewarded in my old age in a similar fashion.

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