Tag: Christmas

FIRST THANKSGIVING WEEK OFF IN THIRTY YEARS

Published on by Aimee EddyLeave a comment

When you work in retail, holidays can be really hard. Thanksgiving week in a grocery store means a mad rush of last-minute shoppers. It takes a lot out of retail workers. Despite everything, the workers must put on a smile. It’s not easy.

For thirty years I have worked Thanksgiving week, for a couple years in the bakery and for many years as a cashier. In the bakery there were endless orders of pies, breads, and rolls. As a cashier it’s lines of people, lifting frozen turkeys, grumpy customers, and large cart loads of groceries. The customers tell you at least time will go by fast and it does, but it wears you out. My anxiety is high during the holidays. I try to work fast to get customers out, all the while having sore shoulders, an achy back, and a tired body. The never-ending lines make me want to hide, but I put on a smile and I talk with my customers.

I can’t tell you how many customers come in on the last day and buy a frozen turkey, expecting it to be thawed by the next day. Many customers wait until the very last minute to buy the fixings for their Thanksgiving dinner. They are in such a rush to get everything done that they become grumpy and they take it out on the retail workers. I love being a cashier and working with people, but I hate working the holidays.

This year will be the first time in thirty years I will have Thanksgiving week off. Monday was my cataract surgery on my left eye, and I took Sunday off to spend the night at my parents so they could drive me to my surgery. My co-workers asked me if I was nervous or scared, but I’m not. I have had a lot more major surgeries than this one. Having surgery just means I get to spend Thanksgiving week relaxing and without anxiety attacks. I’m more than willing to let my husband wait on me.

A couple of friends are providing us with some suppers while I’m recovering so I won’t have to worry about cooking. Thanksgiving leftovers will help with some meals also. My body gets to have a break from work. I will be able to write my newsletter and get Christmas cards ready to send out. I can also get a start on Christmas movies while I’m off. I had the lens popped out of my glasses for the left eye so I could see. I’m able to see well right after they took the patch off my left eye the day after surgery.

Even though it’s because of surgery I’ll be off for Thanksgiving week, I’m excited. I not able to bend or lift, but that just gives me an excuse to sit around in my PJs and be lazy. Who can say no to PJ days? I sure don’t get many of them while I’m working. I work, then after work I take my husband for rides, and my days off are appointments. That doesn’t leave much time to just be lazy. Now I have an excuse.

This Thanksgiving week  you also can slow down and be grateful for the gifts of this holiday. Enjoy a good meal provided by God, enjoy family and friends, and be thankful for all the wonderful things you have. Don’t forget to have a PJ day or two.

This Thanksgiving I’m thankful for a week off and for surgeons who can give me the gift of better sight. I will have a new look at life soon. This Thanksgiving I will be relaxing in the light of recovery.

CHRISTMAS JOY

Published on by Aimee Eddy3 Comments

A holiday, especially at Christmas, can be a very hard time for people. There are the stresses of buying gifts, preparing a meal, family get-togethers, and family drama. Some people are struggling with grief, mental illness, and loneliness. All these can make Christmas seem unbearable. How do you make it through the holidays if you’re struggling with these things? Do you lie in bed and ignore the holidays?

I used to find the holidays unbearable. I had loving parents and grandparents, but I felt alone. I was struggling with depression and didn’t know it. While everyone was excited about Christmas, I was dying inside. Everything seemed dark and hopeless. I couldn’t find the Christmas spirit. Instead of smiling and laughing with my siblings, I was grumpy and easily got mad or irritated. I’d lash out in anger when someone was just joking with me. I was a miserable person to be around. My parents couldn’t understand why I hated holidays. I even felt like I was alone among family at my grandparents. I wanted to hide from everyone.

When I got older and started going to therapy, I learned to cope with the holidays. I learned to find the positive side to holidays. I learned Christmas isn’t about the material gifts, but gifts from the heart. As a teen I woodburned gifts for my parents and grandparents. Even now that I’m an adult I woodburn gifts for friends and family. If I feel alone among family, I find one person I can confide in and talk to. When I feel hopeless, I list the things I’m grateful for. When I feel depressed, I journal out my feelings or turn to my support system.

This year I have been teetering on the edge of the hole of depression. 2024 has been rough and we have been struggling financially. I’ve been trying to help my husband find a job. I keep myself busy by wooodburing gifts, I‘ve been leaning on my support system and listing the positive things in my life. Unemployment claims my husband is working when he’s actually not and has paused his unemployment benefits until further review. We are pinching pennies, and everything seems hopeless but it’s not. Many positive things have happened: My parents help us when they can; a co-worker is gave us half a ham and we got a lot of food from the food bank. We even had some extra canned foods to give to an elderly lady in our neighborhood. We also received a check from one of my customers, and we used it to get each other a few gifts. We’re also blessed to have have a warm home.

I love it when my husband spoils me with gifts and I love to spoil him too, but we can’t do much of that this year. Christmas isn’t about celebrating with family, buying gifts, or eating big meals. Christmas is about the gift God gave us, his Son. We don’t need money to celebrate Jesus’s birthday. We just need to have the Holy Spirit in our hearts and love of Jesus and God in our souls. Money can’t buy that. If you have those then you don’t need family, gifts or food to enjoy Christmas.

You can share the love of God by smiling, saying a kind word, giving a hug, or dressing for the season. I dress up in holiday shirts and hats at work. I have one hat with Santa’s feet at the top like Santa got caught in a chimney on my head. It puts a smile on my customers’ faces, some giggle and it eases the stress of holiday shopping. I smile with the love of God in me and my customers love that. When you give a gift from the heart, then you are giving the true gift of Christmas. God gave us the gift of his Son, from his heart.

If you’re struggling this Christmas, find ways to cope, leave family get togethers when they become too much, or list memories of your loved one. If you’re alone, celebrate Jesus’s birthday by lighting a candle and eating something special. Find the joy of Christmas in your soul by thanking God for his gift by giving a gift from the heart. A few customers told me they had no family so Christmas is just another day, but it’s not. It’s a special day and you can celebrate without family. You can pray to God, sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, make a special meal for yourself, or find a place offering Christmas dinners to go eat.

Despite a rough year and lots of stress, I’m celebrating Christmas with a smile on my face and God in my soul. This Christmas my soul will shine bright in God’s love while I celebrate in the light of recovery. Merry Christmas!!!

CHRISTMAS AND PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEARS

Published on by Aimee Eddy1 Comment

Christmas is only a few days away. Everyone is rushing around getting their last-minute gifts and meal fixings and wrapping presents. Stockings are being hung and people are traveling to spend the holiday with their family. Families are getting ready to practice their holiday traditions. After Christmas we prepare to welcome in the New Year.

In elementary school I dreaded Christmas. For me it was the most depressing holiday. Every year we picked a classmate’s name to buy a gift for. For my classmates it seemed like a contest to see who could outdo the gag gift given by the person who got me the year before. I was the joke of my class. When I opened the gift, they laughed and pointed at me. All I wanted was a nice present like everyone else, but instead I got a can with a snake popping out of it or a whoopie cushion or some other gag gift. I swallowed my tears and became a miserable person for my family to be around.

Now as an adult I can’t wait until Christmas. My husband makes it a point to spoil me with gifts, love, and acceptance. I love gifts just like everyone else, but the love and acceptance means so much more. I’m no longer the joke of the class. I’m now the sparkle in my husband’s eyes. I can see his eyes glow as I open the gifts he buys me. I enjoy giving him thank you kisses and snuggles. No one laughs at me anymore. No longer the reject, I’m the queen of my husband’s heart.

I can’t wait until Christmas morning to see what he got me this year and to snuggle with him.

I’m also preparing for the new year. My book has been doing quite well. I have sold one hundred and twelve books on Amazon and one hundred and twenty-two books myself. I will always remember 2022 as the year my dream to publish a book came true.

When I was in school, I barely talked and when I had to talk in front of people, I got extremely nervous and made mistakes. As an adult I’ve been too shy to even read my writing in progress to the Pennwriters group. Since I have had my book published, I had a book launch party and two speaking events. For all three I never planned my speeches. I calmly stood before people and spoke from the heart. Fighting against bullying is very important and means a lot to me. I’m proud of how far I have come and I’m proud to stand up before people and to speak up to fight against bullying.

I have lots of plans and up and coming events for the new year. On January 14 from 1-3 p.m., I will be signing books at Werner books in Liberty Plaza, Erie. One of my regular customers is the head of Lawrence Park Historical Society and he asked me to speak to the society on January 16. Lawrence Park is the small township I live in. On February 25, I will be speaking and signing books at MCcord Library in North East at 10 a.m. I plan on contacting some schools to set up more speaking events. I also would like to talk to youth groups at churches.

I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas with my husband and my family, and I can’t wait for an exciting 2023. Speaking of Christmas, a book is an excellent gift. Just a suggestion for a last minute present. I’m proud to say my book is available on Amazon, at Werner Books in Liberty Plaza in Erie, at Pressed Books on West 8th street in Erie, and at Steve Krauza Chiropractor, on East Lake road Erie PA.

This Christmas give a special gift to someone who may not get one. When I was a kid, my mom made fruit baskets for people in our hometown who didn’t have much. She or one of us kids would knock on the door, leave the basket, and run away. Is there someone you know who could use a surprise gift? Make someone’s Christmas special by sharing the love deep in your heart. Make a sad soul sparkle.

Plan the new year with lots of fun and exciting adventures. Plan to try new things and reach to make your dreams come true.

Merry Christmas!!!

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