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While I have been a member since 2003 and am still under 1000 post, I would like to acknowledge the wonderful people of this fantastic website that I have grown with from a young 14 year old boy to an adult now. I have really learned alot from all of you!
For some, including my family, the holidays this year have no relation to happiness when your world has come crumbling down due to overall financial distress. As a 20 year old I sat down and explained to my parents that the only thing I wanted for Christmas is for them to be able to make the rent come the first of the month. Yet I do this without hesitation because we all too often forget what this time of the year is all about.
To me personally, this is a time when the you stop and realize that the greatest gift is being around the people you love the most in the world. For those with money, its almost sad that some make this a time to compete to buy the nicest, most lavishly expensive gifts to outdo other family members or impress loved ones. Yet for myself, as well as my family, this year we will not be ashamed to accept food from our local food bank, this year we will not exchange gifts or handout money. I know Im not alone in this millions of Americans and many here on DU are in the exact same predicament and some even worse. I am optimistic this is merely a bump in the road and things will get better.
Yet for those of you less optimistic and in worse shape than my family, I say to you simply-don't give up! I believe that we will all be stronger because we have endured these rough and trying times, we will pick ourselves up again and once again reclaim the dignity of being able to tell your family 'everything is going to be alright'
Happy Holidays to All!!!
Take Care
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