Among Friends

[bklynirene]

I live in NYC in an apartment.  I have many friends.  My family lives in LA. San Francisco, and Seattle.  I am in touch with them all the time.  All through my life I either went to my aunt's house, or to Boston where my brother lived for real Americana July 4th and Thanksgiving with my brother's real "Kennedy" type in laws.  I had a blast.  Though of a different religion, there was plenty of food and drink, great desserts.  There were children of all ages and adults of all different sizes, shapes and personalities.  There were petty grievances discussed quietly outside or in a corner.  But, everyone was on their best behavior.  When a neighbor came in inebriated, and announced that he liked the newest visitor/relative from NY.C, my brother and some other men escorted him out and walked him down the road to his house and family.  Yes, I was alone on Thanksgiving.  My brother and aunt have passed away within the last seven years.  My mother passed away in 1987 and my father died at age 39 in 1954.  I had a wonderful mother, who though crushed by losing the love of her life and the father of her children, taught me and my brother to be strong, self reliant, and independent.  My brother and I were both educated in NYC, we went to NYC colleges and had successful careers.  Alll my cousins were educated, whether they liked it or not, and went on to be successful and happy.  We are of course very sad at times, have faced medical crisis, and have had to make difficultl decisions.  We are all very thankful for each other. . . .On Thanksgiving, I made myself chicken, sweet potatoes, vegs, and frozen pumpkin pie.  I watched the parade, read the NY Times, facetimed with my family in LA and called it a day.  I am 73 years old and live in an apt building with several elderly neighbors.  They all know me and have my tele number.  In the neighborhood, is a senior center who gives out meals.  I consider outselves very fortunate, as I am aware of what is going on in my city and other areas around our great country and the world.  Use to love QVC, now I buy almost nothing, but do read this forum.

[Black Cat Back]

I'm finding this week very hard (Christmas week).  I don't celebrate Christmas because I'm Jewish, but seeing families planning their get togethers and friends visiting, I feel totally left out and even more alone.

These times we are in are very hard.  If you know someone who is alone, call them... trust me, just someone thinking about them would make their day.

[catwhisperer]

I am having a very hard time dealing with the holidays this year.

In order to deal with it, I am trying to focus on the positive things going on like waking up every morning, having food to eat, supportive friends, being in good health. No matter what you may be going through, there is someone going through worse, so appreciate what you do have.