All the teens have reached young adulthood and have mates with families and their own places, et cetera. So this was the first year we didnt do a big thanksgiving. It is just me, my mom, and my kids. And it will be the same for today on Christmas. We arent even exhanging gifts because I just moved and money is kind of tight. But, if you were closer, I would invite you to hang out with the five of us ... lol. Just some roast beef, yams, mashed tatos, gravy, corn on cob, biscuits and mac and cheese, but the conversation is always interesting.


Merry Christmas Cat!

Right back at you, River. I was gone awhile thinking I had a relationship....but...... am back again and going to stick with forums for awhile or maybe forever !!

The forums are a great place to meet people and make friends. It helps a lot during those times when we want to reach out if we're not going out in public.

I hope the New Year brings happiness and peace to you, and many blessings!

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Merry Christmas Cat ! :

I'm enjoying visiting with my Son we went out to Nice Buffet dinner.

He is single with no children.

Merry Christmas all. I still miss the bigger family for the holidays but I guess it isn't all bad. Spent Saturday with son-in-law, daughter, and grandson. Joined a couple friends at the local club last night and had a friend invite me for dinner with his family today. It still isn't the same. I think next year I'll try and have a Christmas dinner get together for a some other singles that have no place to go for the day. Maybe we can find some shared joy that way.

On the 23rd, I had friends over, playing guitar and singing. On the 24th, I stayed home with my BF, daughter and grandkids doing nothing. On the 25th, we opened gifts and sent the kids and grandkids to the ex’s for Xmas dinner. Boyfriend and I stayed at my house, played loud music and had fun.

New years eve I stay home and watch tv. I'm not going to a bar.

Worked Christmas eve and Christmas day. Then I went to Wal-mart and bought myself some socks and underwear just for nostalgia sake.

2018 was the fist year in a long time I didn't spend Christmas alone.
I also didn't spend Thanksgiving alone.
I also imagine I will not spend New Year's Eve or day alone.

Two of my four children called on Christmas Day.
I got to talk to some of my Grandchildren.
I'm not mad about the other two not calling.
I focus on the calls I got and not on what I didn't get.

Also, this is the first Christmas in over 10 years that I actually got a present.
It was not from my family.
That's okay too.
I told them not to.
I would rather they get something for the grandkids and have a nice family Christmas than to spend their money on me.
I don't get presents on my birthday either.
I told them not to.

I know my kids and grandkids love me.
I know they know I love them.

Christmas is just another day, just like Valentine's day, Easter, Independence day, Birthday and all the other holidays.
Its really not a big deal.

There are only 3 holidays that mean anything to me:
Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Those are the holidays where my family would have some sort of get-together. Sometimes it was just family. Other times it would include friends and extended family. But we always did something.

After our family bonds began dissolving, I found myself missing those gatherings more and more. Funny thing is, it's not the family that I miss so much as just having a bunch of people coming together to simply enjoy each other's company -- so much so that nobody ever paid attention to the radio or the t.v.

There was a time when I had a group of friends that easily could have recreated that. Then everyone began moving away. Several moved out of state. One passed away from cancer. Even if they had stayed, I never had a place of my own that was large enough to host all of them on a holiday. While it would be nice if one of my friends offered to do a holiday get-together, I've always known that it would fall on me. I'm the one who used to do it. I'm the one who likes hosting for people, and cooking for them. When I had the space, I didn't have the time or the money. When I had both of those, I didn't have the space.

I've spent many holidays alone, but that was usually by choice. This year was different. First of all, it wasn't by choice but rather by circumstance. Second of all, it's the first year I've spent in an area where I don't at least have any close friends yet. Lastly, it's also the first year where I wasn't even set up to do my own personal mini-celebration if I felt like doing so.

Anyway....I'm not looking to be depressing about it. I'm just noting that this year the holidays have been unexpectedly difficult for me compared to normal.

Part of it is because I've had to move 3 times in the past 4 years. I'm not used to that. It's made it difficult to actually see my friends. Ultimately, I think that's what I really missed this year -- my friends.

Last week, I was going to get together with a couple close friends for a night of fun. I had to cancel because I got called into work at the last minute. But I don't really need to go out so much as spend some time with friends and laughing. This past year, I've had to cancel such plans several times.

I think Christmas really just drove that point home for me this year.

Yeah, actionlynx...for me, being a widow with no living family...Christmas/ Thanksgiving/ etc. are like a regular Tuesday in August....just any old day...

I hate when people (who ALL have familes and/ or spouses they are having a great time with over the holidays) say why don't you volunteer at the homeless shelter, or some other non-fun thing..
No..how about YOU invite me over to share in your get-together, since you are telling me what a great time you are having, and all the food and doo-dads...

Whatever.

I'm thinking that the solution for some of us is to just host some type of get together on the holidays. Invite a few other people that are going to be alone even if we hardly know them. An opportunity to get to know people better and share a meal together. Always a risk but could have a great reward!!

Well, I wouldn't invite strangers. Having been homeless, I've seen the darker side of some of those people.

But yeah, I'd like to just have my own get-together. I just haven't had all the necessary pieces come together yet. In my mind, that's ultimately the solution for the long run. I just need to get there.

I would invite you over, I love having friends come by.

I had a beautiful Christmas

Those that suggest volunteering over the holidays generally don't do it at all. Really, a holiday is just another day in the week. You can be your own worst enemy during this time,if you let it. I think it takes a bit of mental conditioning to keep yourself from not getting depressed. I de-empathized it, it's just another day, as I looked at it.

New years? Meah. Just reminds me that it's the start of tax season. Want a noteworthy day? It's only 82 days to the first day of spring!

Alone on Christmas Eve, which isn't really a thing here anyway, just another evening.
Christmas with my eldest and his girl and my mother, had a great time.

Boxing Day -Second Christmas Day, which IS a thing- I was alone, usually am. But I don't mind. I treat myself to something good & special to eat, and some 'in between' snacks I normally never buy.
So that, and good movies.