Hi Sara. While I have mostly recovered (at least cognitively) form my TBI, I still get SAD type symptoms around the holidays. My accident was the Monday after Thanksgiving 2010, and I have no memory of Thanksgiving that year due to retrograde amnesia, and I was still in ICU over Christmas, so I have no real memory of that either.

Last year was very difficult. This year I am attempting to use more checklists to get things done earlier, and I am going to make my best effort to examine those checklists to make sure I am not trying to do too much. One list I plan to make is a gratitude list.

Communication with the family will be key also. While outwardly I seem to be my “old self” on most days, it’s important for me to ensure those close to me understand that things just “don’t feel right” as the holidays close in.

Every morning the sun comes up, and every evening it sets. After about 36 more times this happens, things that seems critically important now will be history. Until then, I will try to be grateful that I’m still alive to be with family and friends this time of year.