Spare a thought for less fortunate family members

Opinion

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This article was published 11/12/2015 (3573 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: The holiday season makes life most difficult for those who are ill or surviving by working two minimum-wage jobs just to make ends meet. They’re unable to attend family gatherings for lack of a vehicle, cost of buses or a taxi. They have family members who are comfortable professionals living in newer areas, who scoff at those who live in older areas. They take great offence toward those unable to attend family functions, and finally stop inviting them.

Throughout the rest of the year, these struggling people are ignored, but when the holiday season comes around they are suddenly remembered and forced to be happy, even though they are living one day at a time, trying to get by. If they give simple gifts, they’re scoffed at. The wealthy children, meanwhile, have every toy imaginable already.

There are people out there who have fallen through the cracks, who are not ill enough to qualify for CPP pension, but are living with severe chronic pain. The working poor are trying their best, but due to unfortunate setbacks, job losses and/or health issues, they often work long hours, including holidays, evenings and weekends.

They are quiet about it, not looking for pity, but need to be understood and not pressured to suddenly give gifts at a most stressful time of year. The bills do not stop just because the holiday season begins. I realize there is some help out there, but families need to understand and support each other.

— Hoping This Makes it Clear, Winnipeg

Dear Hoping: A lot of well-to-do people don’t think about the financial end of things, or are afraid to offer help in case it is embarrassing to the receiver. What would you like to do with the relatives, rather than the big, expensive splash? It would be helpful to both sides of this problem if you and anyone else in the same position wrote back with ideas for solutions, and we’ll put them in an upcoming column.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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