Missing a few on Christmas

I just found out that my Sister wont be able to make it home tomorrow when we Celebrate our Family Christmas (yes-the day after Christmas) She is distraught over her middle daughter who's landed herself in jail due to being caught with drugs in Arizona --- she cannot afford an attorney so my niece will have to be 'public defended'...... I hope and pray that this ordeal will put her on the right track, I know it will definetly detoxify her. So its going to be a sad Christmas tomorrow, We just lost our Brother Tom to Cancer in November so I really hate being the one to tell our Mother that my sister wont be coming to our gathering tomorrow, not to mention my sis made me promise not to tell Mom about my niece being incarcerated. Our Mother misses our Brother so, and even though Dad has been gone since 1976, and my other brother since 1959 Mom just has such a hard time at Christmas. I know it must be a horrible ordeal for my sister but I wish she would see past her own sorrow's and be there for Mom tomorrow. As usual, I'll have to 'pretend' that all is well and make up some excuse for her absence.

Sorry , I had to vent a little, I hope you are all having a Joyous (Sp?) Cristmas! Jill

Been there, done what you are about to do and that experience taught me not to make up excuses for a sister. She has you right were I was right smack in the middle and if anything goes wrong you are to blame, just like I was!!

Judy

Sorry, Jill, I agree with Judy, not that you asked either of us for advice, LOL.

Sorry you have less family to celebrate together, but at least you DO have family.

Jil,

I'm sorry I put my 2 cents in, if you are offended. I just hate to see people get hurt when they are trying to help out a sibling.

Marry Christmas and I hope tomorrow will be the best that it can be.

Judy

Odds are your Mother will find out eventually, Jil. If an excuse is to be created, it should be your sister who does it...not fair to make you the scapegoat. All of us will be hoping for better news for you soon.

Hi all, dont feel bad about your 2 cents worth, I enjoy the advice, at this stage and knowing my Mothers depression this time of the year I'll be holly and jolly tomorrow for her sake, I wont lie, but I wont tell the whole truth either............I know it needs to come from my Sister and I dont want to depress our Mother, and Darius, yes, I should feel very blessed to have ANY family at all, some dont have that much and I feel blessed mostly for mt DH, he is my Godsend and my best friend.....ok now dont say I make you want to 'vomit' (LOL) but.............with him I really won the 'love lottery', life would be so dull for me without him even though he is now disabled, I'm still blessed.
Merry Christmas to all of you, and thanks for the advice and warm thoughts, it was just what I needed this evening. Thanks,Jill

Momof 2, I feel for your sadness during this time that is unpleasent for your mother anyway, now more so with the absence of your brother. It is a shame your sis is putting you in the position to have to deal with her absence too. Just try your best to have a nice time with your mom and make it special for her. Maybe change the routine of your normal plans. I'll be thinking of you and your mom.
Merry Christmas

Praying for blessings for you and your family as you celebrate today.