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50 Uplifting Christmas Posts To Heal Your Soul Before 2022 (New Pics)
It's that time of year. December has come and it's brought all of its joys, including Christmas. But what is the meaning of this special holiday? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, or the cards in the mail?
Christmas is the mass for Christ, the celebration of the birth of Jesus, a time for prayer, reflection, and service. But it can also be what you make of it.
To show you that there are plenty of different ways to have a wholesome Christmas, Bored Panda collected a list of the merriest moments that people have created for themselves and others. From decorating your prosthetics with your kid to serving meals for those in need, continue scrolling and check out the pics. They should start filling you up with festive mood pretty soon!
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My Husband Hated Christmas. But He Left Me This Year, So Now I’ve Got My First Proper Christmas Tree In 18 Years, And A New Rescue Kitty, So I’m Doing Alright
Bah humbug, that guy was a dıck! Even if you hate Christmas, you make some effort for the one you love. I'm Jewish yet I still cook all day on Christmas for my partner. You do it because it makes them happy.
You are not alone! Who wouldn't think that adorable cat was better than some git who couldn't make an effort for someone he was supposed to love. She's well rid!
Load More Replies...Ha, I love the little cardboard trailer, so cute!! Your new roommate is cute too. I don’t celebrate Christmas, have not done so since I was 10 but I do respect others needs and wants for the holidays, I mean it’s one day a year, yes I suffer through three months of commercialized overkill, but if I’m with someone and it’s meaningful to them, I’m going to support that.
Your comments are so kind. You have a beautiful heart!
Load More Replies...It will be a truly proper Christmas tree when Kitty decides to climb it!
I stopped celebrating Christmas after my son died and in all honesty it was so freeing! No more pressure! I get to do whatever I want in the month of December with no expectations. I had 24 wonderful Christmas with my son and that was plenty, I'm so good doing OTHER things..it's quite alright making December be what you want it to be..go gloriously over the top or don't celebrate at all, find what creates peace and happiness within you and do something wonderful and kind for someone else! That's a good feeling that we all should be doing every month! Blessings to everyone
I'm an atheist and celebrate Christmas with my family. I love the Christmas season. The lights, decorations, music, food, and togetherness with loved ones. I don't need to worship a god to have a nice day. My country, USA, tends to treat anyone who isn't a Christian as a less important or valuable person. So many people are hyper judgemental. It's absurd. I'm even the one who puts up the tree every year and I'll gladly tell others "Merry Christmas." All this "war on Christmas" talk is pure garbage. This godless heathen loves Christmas as much as any "Christian.". 😆
After more than 25 years my son finally got a Xmas tree last year. His drunken father would always wreck the Xmas tree and trample his presents. His dad died 20 years ago and he didn't want a tree until last year. He left the lit tree up until the lights burned out. We bought new lights this year and relit it. Never too late to celebrate!!!
We often don't realize the weight we carried until it was lifted. Never again allow anyone to deny you the simple pleasures. Merry Christmas my dear.
When I met my husband I told him Christmas was a big thing to me and if he couldn't deal with that leave now before it was two late. He proposed 8 months later on Christmas Eve. Gotta love a man who can take a hint 😂😍
Just a reminder that some people experience a lot of distress around Christmas time due to a traumatic experience, a painful childhood, or PTSD associated with this time of year. While that doesn't appear to be the case here, it's still worth mentioning because many people tend to react strongly when they hear someone doesn't like Christmas.
Good point Dylan, we lucky ones tend to forget that
Load More Replies...My husband and I always worked on Christmas (essential workers). When he retired, I surprised him with a tree and all the trimmings. He loved it, I do not celebrate Christmas, but I did love him.
My husband found an 'upgrade' are 36 years of marriage. Christmas without him has turned in to a joyful celebration with my children and grandchildren. I promise you, the best is yet to come!!
Merry Christmas to you and your new kitty! A much better companion after 18 years of being miserable! 😊❤🤗🎅🌲🎁
Me too!! No recue cat but 1st tree I actually looked forward to this year. And a Christmas Village!!
I received the most hateful horrible words from my guy on Christmas. I've been praying all day to remember better things
Who the hell is Noel??? I ALWAYS see it at Christmas time everywhere and still don't know what it is about?
Good for you! Hope you enjoy many more Christmases with your cat. Lovely tree by the way.
Make this the start of fantastic things for yourself. Merry Christmas xx
I traded the ex-wife for cats and immediately became happy. You will too!
You should have just put up a tree anyway. It was his problem if he didn't like Christmas.
My ex was Jewish, and went out of this way to celebrate both holidays with me. Some of his relatives weren't exactly pleased that he went all out on Christmas for me, but he told them it was his joy to make me happy, and if they didn't like it, they were welcome to stay home for Hanukkah and not celebrate that with us either. They came for both holiday celebrations, and I think they had a good time.
Cute kitty & enjoy doing all those things that matter to you.. 😻 I have a rescue kitty too...
Congratulations on your first Christmas with kitty. I hope you had a wonderful time.
Both of those are ten times better than living with an a-hole. Sweet kitty!
My own husband doesn't celebrate, he was raised as a Jehovas Witness and while he doesn't participate in the religion he was raised in, he sees Christmas as just another day. But he knows it means something to me. So he indulges all my Christmas crazy. Because he is a man who knows that making his wife happy takes little effort.
There should be a place to dump husbands and boyfriends like old Christmas trees. I'll bet you that thing would be full and no where near as hard to say good bye or she'd a tear at the few pieces of tinsel blowing in the breeze. I'll never forget the Christmas morning the neighbor's sliding open their glass doors on the deck that was on the second floor, overlooking their back yard. Next thing I saw was their Christmas tree blasting through those doors like a rocket, shooting clear across the back yard and crash landing into the back fence with enough force to take out a wooly mammoth. They divorced before the next holiday rolled around. I could just picture him shooting those really hard little conversational hearts like buckshot come Valentine's Day.
This brought tears to my eyes. So happy you are now living your best life!
One day he will realize what he left, and think of it this way … nothing quite like losing dead weight. And THANK YOU for adopting a cat as opposed to a mill cat. And yeah, your going to be okay. So if you need to talk, I am here.
I think you came out WAY ahead. Best Christmas gift you could have is to be free to enjoy something you love, and share it with a little soul you saved.
You're doing much better than alright, you are living your life the way you want to and that's much more important than you realize! Take it from this old 53 year old "MeeMee"! Societal expectations kept me hostage for a long time and just 3 yrs ago I began living my life on MY terms. This is the BEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL time of your life! Be YOU - that's all you gotta do and the rest will fall into place...Happy Holidays and a great Great New Year in your new life!
Baby, glad he left with the trash. Don't let anyone else dampen your light.
Ma'am, you're doing waaaay more than that ... you are rocking this Christmas spirit! You GO girl, you & your gorgeous little 🐅
Screw him! That's a beautiful tree and a cute little kitty. You do all the Christmas things you want this year and let him go be a d**k elsewhere.
Your life is is going to be great from here on out. You are Woman!
YAY! Lucky you! I'm so happy you are going to have a chance at a great life.
I am so happy and so sad for you at the same time. Enjoy your Christmas with your family. I wish you a happy new year.
What a Grinch the husband was. I'm happy that now a proper Christmas is to be had.
The True Spirit Of Christmas, From Those Who Don't Even Celebrate It
Shasi and Pallu Patel, who own Meet and Deep Newsagents in Twickenham, London, will dress up in festive outfits, play carols and hand out free mince pies and sweets to anyone who drops in between midday and 2pm. They shared a post on Facebook that read: “If you are alone, pop in for a hug and a mince pie! You don’t have to buy anything, we are family.” This is not the first time the Patels have opened their store on the festive holiday. He said they had the idea after an elderly lady called Dot, who passed away last year, came into their shop just before Christmas, telling them a man posing as a gas fitter had stolen from her. Deepen’s older brother, Neeten, posted a warning on Facebook urging the local community to be extra cautious. To their surprise, people started arriving with gifts for Dot. “It was the best Christmas she ever had,”
As we can see, the message of Christmas is universal and revolves around bringing peace, harmony, and unity among all mankind.
In today’s world, plagued with pandemics, wars, destruction, poverty, and terrorism, such goodwill is necessary to maintain our good spirits. Christmas creates an atmosphere of kindness, brotherhood, and benevolence, and energizes society, which can sometimes seem indifferent to caring values.
An Elementary School Bus Driver Asked Every Kid On His Bus What They Wanted For Christmas. He Bought Every Child A Gift
Christmas Parade Dog Helps Woman With Her Anxiety Attack
My 11 Month Old Son Just Came Off His Ventilator This Morning Following A Ruptured Brain Aneurysm 12 Days Ago. He's Going To Make It To His First Birthday On Christmas Eve
But that doesn't mean that we're doomed. In fact, we can be pretty generous. And Christmas has the tremendous power to open up our hearts.
Did you know that nearly one-third (31%) of annual giving in the US occurs in December? The season is a huge deal for the nonprofit sector, driving billions of dollars in just a few days; around 12% of all giving happens in the last three days of the year.
May I Present A Small Owl Sleeping In A Christmas Wreath
Every Christmas, Alice Cooper Serves Hundreds Of In-Need Children Free Meals At His Restaurant
A Christmas To Remember
Being from a poor family I can only understand how powerful such gesture must have felt
It's hard not to get into the Christmas season with all the festivities, lights, and music, regardless of our own religion or non-religion.
So as a wave of generosity engulfs the world, it's really heartwarming to see Christians and non-Christians alike giving to those less fortunate. Goodwill towards others and the simple sharing of joy and love with family and friends is something all of us hope for and can contribute to.
Way To Go To Save Trees
Two entrepreneurs started a side hustle renting Christmas trees to reduce the number that end up in landfill. Every January, they replant your tree back on their farm so you can rent it again next Christmas. When your tree hits 7 ft, it's retired and planted back in its original forest.
I looked for "two entrepreneurs rents Christmas trees and replants," online, and found one company that says, "if the customer likes the tree they rented - they can reserve the same tree again for next year." https://www.greentreeglossop.co.uk/how-it-works I think, this is a really fantastic idea! 🎄😊
Been In My Bed Sick All Day. Finally Opened The Door And Arthur The Cat Had Brought Me A Christmas Ornament From The Tree As A Gift
Wholesome Gift
My Best Friend Said Yes! We’re Getting Married This Christmas
F*****g homosexuals!! And by f*****g I mean they are the F*****g best! Loving and caring and understanding. Because we’ve all experienced the opposite growing up from family and piers. At least most of use have. Maybe it’s different now but growing up being a gay young brown kid in the 90’s was not very fun. Anyways, merry Xmas to all and especially this gay couple!! May they enjoy many many more Xmas togayther(;
I'm A 38-Year-Old Man Having My Best Christmas Ever Because I Finally Got A Baby Polar Bear. Say Hi To Nala
The Best Gift
Meet Hiccup, We've Given Him A Home For Christmas
Spending Christmas Alone For The First Time Due To Covid And My Neighbors Brought Me Over A Complete Christmas Dinner. Meant A Lot To Me, So Glad To Have Them
Absolutely Rocking His Christmas Outfit
Mom's Getting Dementia And Cannot Bake Her Christmas Cookies Anymore
I collected all her recipes over the last few months during times she could remember them. I made this cookbook for all my family. The picture a colleague colorized for me. 1943 Germany.
First Christmas Movie Together
Our 1st Christmas Together And Our 12th Christmas Together
This Year I Settled On The Biggest Tree I Could Find. Merry Christmas Everyone, Happy Holidays
Workmate Knows I've Been Finding The Last Few Months Very Tough Financially. Been Alone This Xmas And I've Only Known Him Six Months. Told Me There's A Bag For Me
I presumed it would be a few beers but this man got me so much more! This guy filled my cupboards.
Have A Wholesome Christmas Everyone
2020 Wasn’t All Bad, My Brother Made This For Me This Christmas
I Was Sent This Just Before Christmas, This Is The First Time My Dad Has Stood Up Without Having Someone To Help Him Since The Amputation And I’m So Proud Of Him
My dad and my mom live in the UK while I live in the USA. Since I saw them last my dad lost both of his legs.
My Friend And I Replaced Christmas With Brucemas, Where We Exchange Bruce Willis Themed Gifts Each Year. I Win Forever. (And Yes It's Real)
Christmas Eve 2020
My grandmother who had been in hospice for 6 months watched my kids. Open presents one last time, she was so happy the whole time. She held on just for that, she passed later that day.
My Cutie Girl Was Found About 6 Years Ago On The Side Of The Road On Christmas Day. She Has 3 Legs And Partial Blindness. Noelle Says Hello
A Group Of Mugs I Made For The Holidays
Every Year My Cat Forgets What A Christmas Tree Is And Re-Discovers The Wonder
A Woman In Adelaide, Australia Came Home To Find A Koala In Her Christmas Tree
Needless To Say I Cried Like A Baby After Opening This On Christmas
I Decided To Brighten Everyone's Day During My Last Chemo Before Christmas At The Cancer Care Day Clinic
I remember my last day of chemo. That was 16 years ago. I had some peach fuzz by Halloween. Went to a salon and asked for platinum blonde so nobody could miss it. They were reluctant and warned me of the risks, but so nice and did a great job. For the Halloween festivities, I dressed up like a rock star. Had it been Christmas, would have colored it red and green. You ARE a rock star and congrats!
We’ve Decorated My Prosthetics To Match The Christmas Feeling We Have. Happy Holidays!
A Giant Christmas Sweater Was Created For The T-Rex At London's Natural History Museum This Year
Our Christmas Card With Our Triplets This Year
My Mom Passed Away On Christmas Day. She Was The Cook In The Family. This Is The First Holiday Meal My Dad And I Made Without Her. We're Going To Be Okay, Mom
It’s A Christmas Miracle! I Can Walk And Stand By The Tree
Insane Story. I Showed My Nard Dog Tattoo To The Old Lady Who Sat Behind Me At Work And Explained How Much I Love The Office. She Brought This In The Next Day And Gave It To Me
She said “I don’t watch the show, but my 2nd cousin is Phyllis and she gave me this for Christmas. You should have it!”
Phyllis was one of the most interesting characters. If you listen to her stories she is one WILD woman lol. This gift is epic!!
Christmas Day Is Also My Parent's Wedding Anniversary, And This Is Their 42nd One. Happy Anniversary, Mr. And Mrs. Mathews
My Mom Spent A Year Crocheting These Charlie Brown Dolls For Me For Christmas
I Quit Drinking In July, And With The Money I've Saved, I've Been Able To Splurge More On Christmas This Year. Here's The Treats My Family Will Wake Up To Tomorrow
My First Time Decorating The Tree By Myself. I Wanted To Make It Special This Year, Because My Mom Passed Away Suddenly In October. So, This Is In Memory Of Her
Me And My Girlfriend Got Each Other The Exact Same Gift For Christmas
Both My Parents Passed Before My Daughter Was Born. My Wife Gave Me This Painting For Christmas
Belgrade's University Children's Hospital Is Off-Limits To Visitors Due To Covid Restrictions, But The Mountain Rescue Service Made Sure Kids Spending Christmas In Hospital Got Their Presents Anyway
Happy Tears
Mike Sullivan And His Wife, Sierra, Have Been Married For Fifty Years. Ten Years Ago, They Built A Small Woodworking Shop In Their Home And Started Making Toys As A Hobby
This Christmas, they've given away 1,400 free toys to kids across America.
Neighbors Knew I Was Going To Be Alone For Christmas So They Brought Me This
Ollie Next To The Painting He Got For Christmas
Note: this post originally had 101 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
My kid and I were homeless last spring when we fled abuse. He had taken my debit card and cut me off of our joint bank account and hobbled my car. I thought he would kill me if I didn't leave. In September, with a lot of help from my family and social services, I bought a house! My ex still hasn't paid most of the money from the divorce settlement and consistently skipped child support payments. I was sad knowing that I couldn't afford presents this year. My kid's school sent her home with a gigantic bag of presents for winter break. I'm excited for her to open them!
Well done to you for being so incredibly brave. You and your child deserve so much better, and you're going in the right direction. Many wishes to you and your little one, for many happy, safe and prosperous years.
Load More Replies...Adding this: Kid walking down the street where my in-laws live. Can't be more than 8-10 years old. He was stopping at every single house on the street to deliver a card and a candy cane. So nobody's left out. I want to elect him president of the US.
May not be a best card I've done, but I want to share it with you. Christmas-...5888b5.jpg
During Christmas - New Years 1997/1998 my dad went in the hospital on Dec. 21 and passed away on Jan 3rd. Our first Christmas without him I wanted to do something really special for my mom. On D Day, Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach. There is a memorial museum there. To help maintain it you can purchase a memorial "brick" which is actually a metal plaque attached to a kiosk. My dad was in the Canadian military and so proud of his service. This seemed perfect. I purchased one to go on a kiosk. Name, regiment, rank, DOB - date of death. Also they sent an engraved wooden replica of it. I wrapped it up as a present for her. We had put my dad's ashes in the ocean. No headstone. No place to say my dad was here. Inside the wrapping I wrote " This is at Juno Beach for everyone to see who dad was and his service". She cried and cried such a mixture of emotions. Best gift I ever gave her.
That was an awesome gift. I lost my Dad in 2019. For some reason this year was extremely difficult for me. His birthday is Christmas Eve.
Load More Replies...My wholesome little addition. My neighbors on either side of my house mean a lot to my family. Last year, to bring them some joy in 2020, we baked some cookies and made some fudge and put it on their doorsteps. We did it again this Christmas and the smiles were enough to make my heart melt. Merry Christmas to my wonderful neighbors!!
Very wholesome! That's an awesome idea for new traditions. I just may do that next year!
Load More Replies...I'm working Xmas day this year and as I am a carer also for my mum she was going to be left on her own all day (she's capable of being on her own but just needs a little support occasionally). I put a post on a local Facebook group asking if anyone knew of any business' would deliver a Xmas dinner on the 24th so that she'd have something nice to eat instead of the planned box of chocolates lol. I got a message from a pub that said they'd deliver her a 3 course meal on Xmas day for her so I asked how much I owe them and they said they'd do it for free! It melted my heart so mum is giving them a big box of chocolates as a thank you.
That is so sweet! I'm happy their are some kind people willing generously to brighten someone's day. Makes my heart so happy
Load More Replies...Im alone this Christmas, I hope everyone has a wonderful one, I'll be waiting to see the happy posts! This year has been hard on a lot of people, and I just want to see everyone happy.
You may be along in your home, but you are surrounded by humanity, and the holiday spirit. I hope you have a good holidays.
Load More Replies...I'm working in the ICU this Christmas, same as always. And as always, I'm going to be washing the feet of the poor before I leave, which couldn't be more appropriate.
When I was a kid, my parents were not the parents any kid would want. There were 4 of us kids. At Christmas we usually got clothes. Maybe 1 or 2 toys. We kind of felt like they could have put in more effort. I found out much later that my aunt was the one who bought us Christmas. My parents took credit and my aunt didn't care as long as we got something. She had kids of her own and the fact that she would still get us something was very thoughtful and caring. She passed away almost 11 years ago and I miss her so much. Christmas is definitely not the same without her. Life is not the same without her.
Hi Lynn! I'm sorry about your parents... is it possible there was a valid reason for their behavior? Sometimes we just never know why some people behave the way they do, but God Bless your Aunt and you too!!
Load More Replies...Merry christmas bored pandas! Hope you all have a wonderful day (even if you don’t celebrate christmas)! :)
I made a paper christmas hat to put on a halloween decoration that didn't come down.
My neighbors at Halloween always put spiders, big to giant sized, all over their house. At Christmas, they just put Santa hats on all of them. The rest of the year, they leave 2 up.
Load More Replies...This year I got sick with Covid Thanksgiving weekend, and it turned into pneumonia and knocked my diabetes into overdrive before I got to the hospital after not sleeping for four nights and my oxygen levels dropping well below reason. Basically I have been sick all month, barely able to walk downstairs, and could NOT do my job. But I have been working hard on my PT, and in the last week went from barely able to sit up for a few hours to actually going on a car ride to my mother's house and opening gifts for a couple of hours. It was the first time in a month I felt like my old self for a little while. I still have a long month or two of recovery, but at least I got my Christmas!
My kid and I were homeless last spring when we fled abuse. He had taken my debit card and cut me off of our joint bank account and hobbled my car. I thought he would kill me if I didn't leave. In September, with a lot of help from my family and social services, I bought a house! My ex still hasn't paid most of the money from the divorce settlement and consistently skipped child support payments. I was sad knowing that I couldn't afford presents this year. My kid's school sent her home with a gigantic bag of presents for winter break. I'm excited for her to open them!
Well done to you for being so incredibly brave. You and your child deserve so much better, and you're going in the right direction. Many wishes to you and your little one, for many happy, safe and prosperous years.
Load More Replies...Adding this: Kid walking down the street where my in-laws live. Can't be more than 8-10 years old. He was stopping at every single house on the street to deliver a card and a candy cane. So nobody's left out. I want to elect him president of the US.
May not be a best card I've done, but I want to share it with you. Christmas-...5888b5.jpg
During Christmas - New Years 1997/1998 my dad went in the hospital on Dec. 21 and passed away on Jan 3rd. Our first Christmas without him I wanted to do something really special for my mom. On D Day, Canadian soldiers landed at Juno Beach. There is a memorial museum there. To help maintain it you can purchase a memorial "brick" which is actually a metal plaque attached to a kiosk. My dad was in the Canadian military and so proud of his service. This seemed perfect. I purchased one to go on a kiosk. Name, regiment, rank, DOB - date of death. Also they sent an engraved wooden replica of it. I wrapped it up as a present for her. We had put my dad's ashes in the ocean. No headstone. No place to say my dad was here. Inside the wrapping I wrote " This is at Juno Beach for everyone to see who dad was and his service". She cried and cried such a mixture of emotions. Best gift I ever gave her.
That was an awesome gift. I lost my Dad in 2019. For some reason this year was extremely difficult for me. His birthday is Christmas Eve.
Load More Replies...My wholesome little addition. My neighbors on either side of my house mean a lot to my family. Last year, to bring them some joy in 2020, we baked some cookies and made some fudge and put it on their doorsteps. We did it again this Christmas and the smiles were enough to make my heart melt. Merry Christmas to my wonderful neighbors!!
Very wholesome! That's an awesome idea for new traditions. I just may do that next year!
Load More Replies...I'm working Xmas day this year and as I am a carer also for my mum she was going to be left on her own all day (she's capable of being on her own but just needs a little support occasionally). I put a post on a local Facebook group asking if anyone knew of any business' would deliver a Xmas dinner on the 24th so that she'd have something nice to eat instead of the planned box of chocolates lol. I got a message from a pub that said they'd deliver her a 3 course meal on Xmas day for her so I asked how much I owe them and they said they'd do it for free! It melted my heart so mum is giving them a big box of chocolates as a thank you.
That is so sweet! I'm happy their are some kind people willing generously to brighten someone's day. Makes my heart so happy
Load More Replies...Im alone this Christmas, I hope everyone has a wonderful one, I'll be waiting to see the happy posts! This year has been hard on a lot of people, and I just want to see everyone happy.
You may be along in your home, but you are surrounded by humanity, and the holiday spirit. I hope you have a good holidays.
Load More Replies...I'm working in the ICU this Christmas, same as always. And as always, I'm going to be washing the feet of the poor before I leave, which couldn't be more appropriate.
When I was a kid, my parents were not the parents any kid would want. There were 4 of us kids. At Christmas we usually got clothes. Maybe 1 or 2 toys. We kind of felt like they could have put in more effort. I found out much later that my aunt was the one who bought us Christmas. My parents took credit and my aunt didn't care as long as we got something. She had kids of her own and the fact that she would still get us something was very thoughtful and caring. She passed away almost 11 years ago and I miss her so much. Christmas is definitely not the same without her. Life is not the same without her.
Hi Lynn! I'm sorry about your parents... is it possible there was a valid reason for their behavior? Sometimes we just never know why some people behave the way they do, but God Bless your Aunt and you too!!
Load More Replies...Merry christmas bored pandas! Hope you all have a wonderful day (even if you don’t celebrate christmas)! :)
I made a paper christmas hat to put on a halloween decoration that didn't come down.
My neighbors at Halloween always put spiders, big to giant sized, all over their house. At Christmas, they just put Santa hats on all of them. The rest of the year, they leave 2 up.
Load More Replies...This year I got sick with Covid Thanksgiving weekend, and it turned into pneumonia and knocked my diabetes into overdrive before I got to the hospital after not sleeping for four nights and my oxygen levels dropping well below reason. Basically I have been sick all month, barely able to walk downstairs, and could NOT do my job. But I have been working hard on my PT, and in the last week went from barely able to sit up for a few hours to actually going on a car ride to my mother's house and opening gifts for a couple of hours. It was the first time in a month I felt like my old self for a little while. I still have a long month or two of recovery, but at least I got my Christmas!