holidays

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.

what about checking out the free Christmas dinner and events in your area. here we have many restaurants and agencies that put together meals and events for those that are all by their selves on Christmas eve / Christmas Day. the purpose of these events is so that no one needs to go hungry or be alone. they can go somewhere, enjoy the festivities and a great meal and make new friends / socialize / build their own support network.

some reasons why people around attend these events....

they are alone because family issues
they are alone/ lonely because their family is in another state or country.
plans changed where family could not do the planned family get together.
just to get out to be with other people
build a new circle of friends and family

my point there are many reasons why someone goes to their community free Christmas dinner and events.

cant promise hugs but theres lots of good conversation and fun to be had if you are open to it.

maybe since you wont be with your biological family, maybe you can be with a family of your choosing.

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]

I just saw your post. I haven't been back since my post. Thank you for the suggestions. This will sound bad but I haven't reached that point yet. I would like to go to the local dinners but I would think of that as giving in to the idea that I am at rock bottom. Somewhere in my head I know that is not who attends these dinners but it would be too difficult now. I am still holding on.

Maybe volunteer at one then? That way it isn't so much a rock bottom thing, but a helping out thing? I know holiday time is about over now, so it might not be relevant, but maybe something to try for another one? Just a thought.

-Avery

It's amazing how fast we find certain associations between the opposite things.