This friends and family thing has long been a massive bone of contention,and a subject much discussed on the forums many times.The answer always come down the same.Anyone who doesn't actually travel with you on this journey 24/7 really has no idea,and can really make the most innappropriate remarks and stupid statements.The time scale involved in treatment and recovery is beyond most peoples conception."you should be over it by now" being a popular misconception.The fact that people,no matter how much they love you truly believe that you should make an effort for christmas (assuming always that this recovery thing is mind over matter),is indicative of how little they understand.I wonder if some of this is to do with our reluctance to be honest with our loved ones,(Robs favourite phrase when asked being "i am fine" duuuhhhh!!!!)and some of it is their fear of the unknown and their need to convince themselves that we are the same as we were before.

Its a complex subject and there are different answers for different people.Bottom line here .....its personal,and no one can tell you what or how you should feel.Don't suck it up for anyone.tell the truth.If they understand all well and good,and if they don't,make your feelings clear.