A few years ago a few of my friends realized that for various reasons..out of state children, divorces, children spread thin with the visiting,no family, estranged families etc...that there were several of us alone that particular Christmas. One friend decided to have an open house that day. Now it's almost a 3 day affair. A group will get together for lunch Christmas eve day. Some spend eve with family then come over for open house Christmas or vise versa. A lot of people seem to feel they are the only ones alone. Now we bring food so our hostess isn't responsible for feeding us all! A few actually love to cook or bake but don't have anyone to do it for anymore. It's open to friends & friends of friends or anyone who would otherwise be alone that day. Last year we joked we'd have to start thinking about renting a hall.





QUOTE=Claritytoo;5951240]Christmas is coming and I am finding difficult to go out side because seeing people and their families makes me realize how alone i am. I miss my son, my sister, my grandchildren and my friends. I don't think about it most of the time but for the next few days if will be difficult to ignore. I know, with the exception of my son, that these people love me and miss me too. I just not the same as a warm conversation or a hug. I get through it, I'm just in an odd place in my mind.[/QUOTE]