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Christmas on steroids

The hustle and bustle of Chrismastime can make any normal functioning family want to pull their hair out. From getting all the right gifts, the wrapping, the decorations, the baking and preparing the feast, there is no vacation about that.
But these tasks, no matter how time consuming make Christmas Christmas. They stimulate our senses and ignite the Christmas spirit within us.
However, for some, it is simply too much.

Christmas is not a merry time for all. And for some it's not a choice to be the grinch or bah humbug for Christmas. For some, like my son, it is forced upon him by steroids; necessary medication to reduce his symptoms of brain swelling. The drug can also cause horrendous side effects in some people and it plays especially hard on Xavier's emotions.

My 7 year old son is depressed for Chrismas. He doesn't care Santa is coming... in fact he believes Santa shouldn't come because he has been a terrible boy for crying all the time. And like others who suffer from mental illness, there is no on-off switch to make it go away.

No amount of money and no amount of gifts can make me happy. I don't need a fancy house, a flashy car or even a trip or two. All I want for Christmas is to wake up in my own home, in my own bed with my family snuggled in beside me. Unfortunately, way too many families will wake up on a cot beside one of their children in a hospital bed while the rest of their family wakes up at home without them.
I appreciate the importance of being together.


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