Posts Tagged ‘Christmas’
Cheers to Santa and Merry Christmas
Last Updated on Thursday, 24 December 2009 01:18 Written by Monica Thursday, 24 December 2009 01:18
It is Christmas Eve. Snow and ice abound all over north Texas and could possibly extend to other areas. People are in a holiday mode and well they should be. No matter what our religious beliefs, most everyone agrees that this is a family time of year.
So as we lift our glasses of eggnog to Santa, let us be careful not to overindulge in spirits this year. In Texas we are not all familiar with driving on icy and snow covered roads. It is bad enough that accidents happen normally, do not overindulge in alcohol this evening and have a heartbreaking memory tied to Christmas forever for your loved ones.
As conditions change in north Texas from winter advisories to blizzard conditions, we realize and respect that those north of us are more experienced in these road conditions. Pull up a couch or an air mattress, stay together and enjoy the beauty of a rare sight in our great state, a white Christmas. Cuddling together around the Christmas tree, watching Christmas classics on television, playing board games together. All of these entail making new Christmas memories for the children to remember, adult siblings can bond again and grandparents may be having a last Christmas depending on age.
A memory no one wants at this time of year is imbibing too much in the alcoholic spirits and then driving somewhere, losing control of the vehicle and causing injury or a fatality to oneself or an innocent victim. So if we want to party and give a toast to Santa, let’s show responsibility to our children and respect to our family members; stay inside.
The greatest Christmas memories are filled with children and grandchildren excitedly opening presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. College students have returned home, family members have driven in from across town or long distances just to be together for the holidays. Eggnog and coffee, tea or soft drinks can make for the best beverages as families enjoy the camaraderie of just being together.
So as you lift up a toast to family, to being together, to Santa and to many more Christmases to come, remember that just saying no tonight is going to be the greatest present your family may not even realize it is giving to each other.
Merry Christmas, Texas, and Merry Christmas to all who stop by to read. May you have many more wonderful ones to come!
Tags: blizzard, Christmas, drinking, eggnog, winter | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
Give Yourself the Gift of Getting Clean This Christmas
Last Updated on Friday, 11 December 2009 11:46 Written by Monica Friday, 11 December 2009 11:37
Christmas and New Year’s are coming. With the holidays comes more opportunities to drink and to take drugs. You can be in a party atmosphere and celebrating with friends and family, the perfect opportunity to hide a growing problem. Or you can be depressed as the holidays do make some of us and fall deeper into a drug addiction.
This time of year brings out old memories, sadness and pain as well as joy and celebration. But I am going to share a secret with you. The best gift you can give yourself and your loved ones is seeking help to overcome the addiction. The most important people in the world to give to are yourself and your family and friends.
Perhaps you are drinking heavily enough that family and friends have tried to talk to you about it. Take heed of their words. They are only opening themselves up to your anger and denial because they care. Admitting you have a problem does not mean you are unworthy, just the opposite. It means you care enough to make changes.
Maybe you have become addicted to drugs and you feel lonely and isolated. The truth is, drug and alcohol abuse are rampant in Texas and you can get help by calling a helpline or walking into a support group meeting practically any time of the day or night. People will support you, they will accept you and they will help you to help yourself.
The holidays are hard on some people and the support groups have more meetings during the holiday season than any other time of year. This writer lives in a town of about 100,000 people and there are 6 to 10 meetings a day all over town, for both alcohol and drug addiction.
Do not spend another holiday buried in drug addiction or alcoholism. Your pain is real but it can also be confronted and worked out. You will make friends and you will find that special person within yourself that you thought was lost. Whether you are alone or have family, it does not matter. Just as you would make the decision out of love for them, make it out of respect for yourself.
Giving yourself the ultimate gift in getting clean this year could turn itself around to where you can help someone else next Christmas who finds him or herself right where you are today. Isn’t that what Christmas is truly all about?
Tags: alcohol abuse, Christmas, drug addiction, New Year's | Posted under Texas Rehab | No Comments
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