Today can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones, especially around this time of year, or during 2018 as it will be their first Christmas without them.

So I'm just raising a virtual glass and want to say, "To absent friends".

Absent Friends

Absent friends

Absent friends.

Absent friends.

Absent friends everywhere.

Absent friends.

Just raised a bottle and a little thought to all absent friends

Absent Friends..and Enemies

Absinthe Friends!

Time heals but always leaves a scar, the size of which relates to the loss in my experience. To absent friends and family.

Not absent yet, but very difficult at the mo......my mum has pancreatic cancer, and was given 8 weeks, which is today.

She’s determined, got dressed up and gone out for lunch (lives in Spain)........I’ve been flying out, back, out.....

Puts things into perspective, love mum so much despite the fact I’m an old bloke myself......god bless her.

And to all of you missing loved ones...............they were all so precious.

But, truly hope you all have a special day today...............

Not going to lie JM it's really difficult losing a parent. Cherish your mum for as long as you can.

Absent friends and loved ones.....kind thoughts to you and your mum JM

FactualFrank wrote:Today can be difficult for those who have lost loved ones, especially around this time of year, or during 2018 as it will be their first Christmas without them.

So I'm just raising a virtual glass and want to say, "To absent friends".

Thank you FF, lost my Mum after dinner on Christmas Day some years ago..........it still hurts.

Hroogar wrote:Thank you FF, lost my Mum after dinner on Christmas Day some years ago..........it still hurts.

My thoughts are with you today Hroogar,what a sad story.

Steve1956 wrote:My thoughts are with you today Hroogar,what a sad story.

Thanks Steve, that means a lot, Happy Christmas to you.

Does this include Kevin?

Vino blanco wrote:Does this include Kevin?

Absent friends not effing useless ones.

Hroogar wrote:Thank you FF, lost my Mum after dinner on Christmas Day some years ago..........it still hurts.

I lost my mum on the 11th December 2001. Just 12 days before my 22nd birthday and 2 weeks before Christmas. So Christmas always has the lack of a real Christmas feeling and I expect it always will.

Somebody said time heals. I disagree, because there can always be a time when you have a moment to yourself. Time just helps you learn to no longer make it the front of your memory 24/7. Family is big at this time though, so I do feel for those who have nothing. It shouldn't be like that.

FactualFrank wrote:I lost my mum on the 11th December 2001. Just 12 days before my 22nd birthday and 2 weeks before Christmas. So Christmas always has the lack of a real Christmas feeling and I expect it always will.

Somebody said time heals. I disagree, because there can always be a time when you have a moment to yourself. Time just helps you learn to no longer make it the front of your memory 24/7. Family is big at this time though, so I do feel for those who have nothing. It shouldn't be like that.

My meaning precisely FF the scar is always there and the size relates to the loss be it parent, child, partner or friend.
Not lost a partner but the loss of a child is by far the biggest hit I have taken. Loss of parents and friends, pales in comparison.

Christmas can be a happy time for many and a sad time for others. I too lost a dear friend around this time last year and after being down in the dumps for many months decided I was going to stop that and think about all the great times we shared growing up. I know he wouldn't want me or anyone being sad, only happy. So for everyone that's lost someone close just think about those happy times, you can't beat wonderful memories. I'm sure they too would have wanted you to do that.

My Mum died in September this year. She was 95 and thankfully hadn't suffered from any serious illness prior to her death. I am surprised by how much I still think about her. Something will come on the news about the North West or such like (weather etc) and I will say.. Oh I must ring Mum to see how she is getting on. And of course there is no Mum to ring anymore.

I suppose she was such an ever presence in my life that I thought she would live forever.