Hi there,

I know that scenario. I have been feeling like a freak ever since because my family situation is screwed up and nothing about the holidays is uplifting for me either. When everyone has the expectation that my life is similar to theirs and the holidays are a fun topic to talk about and I just can't share that, it makes me inbelievably sad, but also angry because of the ignorance. Of course I want to be included, but unless some "healthy fun family" adopts me or I start my own, it's not going to happen.
Maybe holidays are about to get back to what they initially meant or find our own meaning in them. If I want to share my love and compassion for my fellow human beings, I can also offer my time to organisations who care for the not so lucky ones and volunteer. If I want to be social, I can go find others who are in the same situation. Adapt your decisions to you own situation, not to the standard.
Big understanding unconventional-holdays-hug!