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crazyguylink
I work for a video game development agency Live Ops Team. Between testing games and panning new ones, I find less time than I like for relaxing projects.

Age 41, Male

Video Game Developer

Canada

Joined on 12/19/09

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Christmas

Posted by crazyguylink - November 30th, 2011


Well, it's that time of year again. The time where families gather around the tree and open gifts with anticipation of a nice family dinner the same night. Sadly, this is not the case for me. It's easy for people to see this as a time of families and joy, but circumstances in my life have opened my eyes to a different side of the holidays. The side that people don't... or refuse... to see. I'll start at the beginning of this little tale.

At the age of nine, my two brothers and i watched as our mother died in front of us just before mothers day. Our dad, who was out of town came home right away, but the damage was done. Luckily, he remarried and a happy life followed... save for me. Not long after My step mother came into our lives, I found that I was too much trouble for her to handle and did the only thing I could For the sake of keeping the rest of the family together, I cut ties and landed in Children's Aid. That was when I saw the darkness that surrounded the holidays for the first time.

Like me at that point, I had no family to spend the Yuletide Spirit, as did many people I was with. A heavy cloud filled the air and refused to leave. I tried to shed some cheer, buying gifts and trying to cook for the children I shared the house with (Mostly burning the food most times), and tried to give some light. It worked for them, but I could not find the courage that they discovered.

I left Children's Aid at the age of 18 and lived on my own, having contact with only my twin brother, and it was rarely pleasant times. From that time onward, I saw the joy that Christmas brought, but also the pain as well. I was never able to escape the loneliness and isolation, with nobody to share the holidays with.

But, finally, today that changed. I do not know how every person on Newgrounds spends this season, but I noticed a few things. First off, They Give a gift on a daily basis to the people of the portal. The gifts of creativity, originality, and hard work, toil and effort to submit whatever they can, good or poor, joyful of positive reviews and tolerant of negative, they give and give and give some more.

As well, though everyone may not be near, nor at all times friendly, they offer useful advice, cheerful words and harsh criticism to see people improve instead of become complacent and as such stagnate their abilities. I only know of one type of social structure that such an environment exists. To the people of the world, that word is "Family".

Now that i have finally come to realize that it's not those you spend your life with that makes family, but the people you let into your hearts, I have one simple message to share with everyone. Thank you everyone, for giving me the courage that I need to face the season, to accept the peace that comes with it and for knowing I am not alone. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you, each and every member of Newgrounds, My friends, and my family.

Merry Christmas and I'll see you in the new year.


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Comments

A deep story :') I can only shed a tear and hope to move on from my troubles too.
I'm leaving this comment here because of the nice words and encouragement you have given me about my art, and I thank you greatly for that. I like how the Newgrounds community can resemble a family at times, they will encourage you when you need it and tell you the flat out truth no matter how harsh.

I wish a happy new year to you. Thanks :)