Celebrating my Christmas Blues

INSPIRATION

Celebrating my Christmas blues

I have a bad case of the Christmas Blues.

Being so far away from family as Christmas approaches is always hard, this is our third since leaving Australia and I’m feeling the Christmas Blues.

I miss my mum, our traditions, family weddings, newborns, my girlfriends, and although mum and I Skype almost daily it’s just not the same.

I’d love to get home for Christmas.

Another year is coming to an end, our tree is decorated, the village is lit up with sparkling lights, the air is frosty yet no sign of snow, and we have settled into the apartment for winter. The kids are counting down the sleeps, Luca still has that sweet belief in Santa. It’s them that makes the season magical for me. A reminder of my own trips to visit Santa with my brothers.

It’s been a while since I’ve written here at the blog, I think like many others I have been engulfed in the surreal events unfolding in the world. We seem to be spinning wildly out of control, everything I once thought I knew for sure has been turned topsy turvy with no one left to trust. Still I am as always an optimist, here in our beautiful valley the world seems far away.

Even my computer is out of sorts, awaiting a new mother board. I am using a borrowed computer, and working on so many projects at once that even I don’t know where I’m heading most days.

Ahhh the Simple Life, I feel it just within my grasp only to look up and find it gone again.

It’s become about so much more than growing our food, selling our belongings and moving to Italy, now it’s our future, our family, our chosen lifestyle, and one that means I won’t see my mum anytime soon.

So here I am celebrating my Christmas Blues with you all and in the morning I’ll be back to my cheery self, I know you won’t mind, I know you’ll understand, and I wish you all much joy, peace and love though the Christmas season. Ho Ho Ho

and the gang x

15 replies

ff says:
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I love your brother in his little jacket – dressing up for Santa photos.
I must admit after returning home to live after 25 years away, what I once took for granted, I now truly appreciate – you know, a warts and all Christmas with the family.
I think the fact we didn’t have children to focus on made it extra hard being away.
I love all the preparations and anticipation – it’s like the ultimate party that the whole world is in on
(well, a lot of the world – not all of it).
Christmas in your village sounds lovely.
Hope the pull on your heartstrings eases up a bit.
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Jeanette says:
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P.S. Great photo !
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Jeanette says:
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Dear Lisa,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I am thinking, the simple life is elusive and just out of arms reach. The earthy life is easier to attain than the simple life.
Holidays are filled with many thoughts and emotions. I am nostalgic about some past Christmas’ and also very grateful for any new tradition and celebrations we create. Here in the U.S. There is so much commercialism around this time it’s a quite an endeavor not to get pulled in.
This world does seem so chaotic and unpredictable and can keep us off balance. I found comfort and gratitude in lifes simple pleasures; a warm bed, a good cup of coffee, hearing the sounds of nature, exchanging smiles with anyone , helping in anyway I am able and in reading your warm and genuine posts. Thanks again for your sharing.
Wishing you and yours A warm and heartfelt holiday season Peace??
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Malinda says:
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Wow! I had the same feelings today! I am in California, my favorite cousins and almost all of my family are in New Jersey. I miss them so much. So, I called my Aunt, but, I wanted more. I want to be able to sit in the living room and see her face, watch her laugh, have cousins, drop by, chit chat about nothing interesting.
But, that’s not the way it is-I heard about busy they all are working a lot. We all have our lives. I have mine too- but, I guess nostalgia of old times gets in the way. We are both lucky to have family that we love (and miss). But, doesn’t make it easy.
Thank you for sharing your and your famliy’s – life with us.
love And hugs,
Malinda
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Krista says:
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Much love to you, dear Lisa. I sure understand the homesickness that surrounds this time of you. Wishing you a good sleep and happy moments with your loves to comfort your heart. XO
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LA CONTESSA says:
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IT MUST BE HARD………………HANG IN THERE.
AUGURI!!BOUN NATALE……………have a slice of PANDORO for me!PLEASE!!!!A BIG PIECE!
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Nancy says:
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Lisa and Sam and kids, The joy and love you share all year long sustains us through our down times. Sorry you are having the blues, but let me assure you, we all experience them around the holidays as memories of all far away family and friends or of those who have died come through loud and clear. My Mother died when I was 27 and am now 70 and I still get teary eyed and choked up at sentimental times of the year. I miss my sister who died at 60 several years ago and wake up wanting so much to talk to her. It is a bittersweet time of the year! I get all excited thinking about Christmas and then vacillate between expectations and the realities. I must simply remember how grateful I am for what I do have and continue to enjoy and get out there. Today it will be decorating our fake tree as we did exterior decorations for our bread bakery & house over last couple of days. So pick yourself up and gave at it. I send big hugs and lots of smiles for a glorious Christmas. Much love to all!
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jann huizenga says:
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Ciao Lisa
Sending you a big Christmas hug!! Hope you get some Christmas snow real soon. xxxxm
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JoAnn Alexaner says:
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Dearest Lisa,
I get it and I send you hugs. The only ‘take away’ I can share with a positive note for you…would be, my mother passed away 2 yrs. ago October. She did not use the computer and I would speak with her on the phone. Not being able to dial the number now…stinks. I know you have your ‘lil world’ around you for comfort. I can’t believe what is happening around our ‘big world’. Scary is a small word. Your two kiddos are blessed Sam and you had the ‘adventure’ within to move so far from home and give them ‘the simple life’. Skype your mum, eat some chestnuts…and put on another sweater…baby it’s cold outside! Always love love, JoAnn
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Shivanii says:
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Hi Lisa
I do feel your heartache, even as I watch your family thrive in your new surroundings. Life is so full of paradoxes, isn’t it!?! How can we have it all? Sending love to you all this Christmas, and to your mum, who is undoubtedly happy seeing you being so happy.
Have a beautiful frosty Christmas and new year!
Hugs all round xoxoxoxo
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Dina Iovino says:
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All best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. The cloudy day will pass and the sun will come out again. During the holidays it is always hard to be away from the ones we love, but the knowledge that they are loved, as you are, will help smooth the way. Your messages bring happiness to many that you will never know and that, too, will sustain you.
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Lyn says:
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Hello Lisa, Sam, Carina and Luca, I love reading all your posts and hearing about your Italian life. Yes it must be difficult at this time. Our Australian Christmases must be so different to what you are experiencing there. The blues may have something to do with the weather? So much sunshine here is what you are used to. Although it is soooooo hot here at the moment…….storms all the time. I feel we have shifted to the Tropics……from here in Brisbane! Lol
All will be well in the morning…..everything always seems better after a sleep. ?
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Keep up the good work Lisa. You are an inspiration to us all.

Much love, from our family to your family. ❤️❤️??

PS yes I agree……you need a trip home to see your Mum. My Mum sadly passed this year. 🙁 xo
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Heather Joy Fisher says:
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Hi Lisa and the Gang.

Thank you for sharing you little part of the world with us. I totally understand how you are feeling. We live here in Italy in Lombardia and have been here for 10 years. During this time we have never been back to the UK (my home) for Christmas. Partly for financial reasons and partly because my husband has to work over the holiday period. Some years are harder than others, but having Skype etc. does help to feel more part of the celebrations back home. I’m used to it now and it doesn’t really bother me anymore. We usually book a short trip back to the UK in February/March when flights are cheaper and it gives us something to look forward to after the holidays are over. A new day brings new challenges and as my mum always says – things will look better in the morning:-) Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and take care. Love Heather and Gaspare. xx
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Joy Orr says:
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Always wonderful to hear you news Lisa,Sam and co.,I really enjoy of you chatting about my beloved Italia.Try and skype your Mum more perhaps but be happy because you inspire many all over the world…..Much love to all Joy
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Rose says:
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Blues can engulf us and may continue to sneak in up in us. The suitcase you filled with anticipation, dreams and hopes is where you need to go to unpack a little at a time the things that took you on this journey. These things will brush the blues away. How far they’re brushed away will depend on what you are now filling your life with – new dreams, new hopes, safety for your children. Sadly your heart will email fractured for all the things you described, but remember never let it break. Time for a trip home to see your mum I think is what is needed xx ???☀️♥️♥️♥️??
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