Feeling "Grinchy" at Christmas Time is Okay

"The Whos down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot. But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville, did not. The Grinch hated Christmas - the whole Christmas season. Oh please don't ask why ... no one quite knows the reason."

From one of Dr. Suess' finest tales, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", this quote may well describe your mood coming up to the festive season. You may be feeling more gloomy than merry and this can be expected should Mom or Dad be confined to a long-term care facility and be unable to join you and the family. No one, of course, can make you feel happy if you do not feel so but times change and family traditions must change with them. This can easier said then done, however. One of the best ways I discovered to better enjoy the holiday cheer was to do something charitable ... my choice over the past number of years has been to contribute a frozen turkey to a local radio station's food bank drive. Giving to those less fortunate can be immensely rewarding and can be a good way to feel better about things yourself.

Here are a number of other ideas to help you find your own Christmas cheer:

• Dig out your mother's favourite Christmas decorations and hang them on your tree.
• Go carolling with your family.
• Reduce the number of house guests over Christmas and keep gift-opening to a minimum.
• Sit by the fire with a good book.
• Create new family traditions.
• Place a photo of your mother or father in a prominent and special place in your own home (this way, your parent can still "join" you without physically being there).

Accept the fact that you are not the only one grieving at Christmas time. Even if your own heart feels two sizes too small, there can be a good reason for this. Christmas is a time for family and when family is not able to participate, you will need to accept and adapt.