A Christmas Alone.

For those of you that don't know Derek very well, he loves Christmas.  Every year he is the one nagging me to get the decorations out and put the tree up.  We are even that house who has Christmas lights on weeks before Thanksgiving. Christmas music is downloaded on his phone and playing in his car in November, and he is even singing carols around the house.  I enjoy Christmas music too, but not like he does. 

In 2008 we spent our first Christmas apart.  Our divorce had been final for a little over a month.  It was weird, and lonely.  Our family get togethers just weren't the same.  Derek and I were cordial to one another though, which made all of these 'firsts' so much more bearable.  On Christmas morning, Derek came to my house to watch Boston open his gifts.  It was a bit awkward, but it wasn't about us, it was about our son.  I remember Derek even giving me a Christmas gift that year.  It was totally unexpected, and at the time I am sure I was more annoyed than grateful. 

Derek has told me before how lonely he was during those times, and how he dealt with it all.  To be honest, he spent a lot of nights sitting on a bar stool at a pub across from his apartment.  He ate there several nights a week, and drank enough for the bar tender to remember exactly what he would want to order.  He recently shared with me how awful his Christmas alone was.  There were no decorations, no tree and no gifts in his apartment.  The song that I am sharing below is a song Derek heard that year, and when he played it for me a few weeks back I couldn't fight the tears welling up in my eyes.              

Christmas And Me Are Through- By Your Vegas

Laugh a little louder, Sing a little prouder.
See you in the Rose and Crown, we’ll raise a glass to this old town.
Home is where the heart is. The end is where the start is.
Have a Happy Holiday.
Remember, boy, to smile when you frown.
Out by the old church I can hear them sing, long live the king.

Oh, Santa Claus, Santa Claus
There’s no Christmas here anymore
Put the bells away, Burn the sleigh
Throw the presents out of my door
‘Cuz she’s gone, gone
Everything they said was true, Christmas and me are through.

Why’d you go and leave me? I guess you didn’t need me.
Funny when you did it, hey I’m all alone on Christmas Day.
Wonder where the time goes, dressing in the same clothes.
Funny how the turkey tastes, with lunches from the microwave cold.
Down by the old school I can hear them sing, Love killed the king.

Santa Claus, Santa Claus
There’s no Christmas here anymore
Put the bells away, burn the sleigh.
Throw the presents out of my door
‘Cuz she’s gone, gone
Everything they said was true
Christmas and me are through.

I am always so thankful to God for bringing Derek and I back together.  I love every day as a family, but the Holiday's are so much more special when you with the ones you love.  We are so Blessed, but unfortunately not all families have a happy ending like we did.  This Christmas, my prayers will be with families in a similar situation as Derek and I were a few years back. We know how lonely A Christmas Alone can be.  If you know someone who may be experiencing a time like this, take time to send them a special note or drop by with a little gift.  Let them know they are not alone, because the Lord is with them, even in the darkest of days.