Re: "I Choose to be Alone."

AngelPuppy1 · ‎03-13-2010

Christmas happiness and contentment means different things to different people. Some are alone because of family circumstances, of which there could be many. Some are alone because they choose to be and some are alone because family and friends are so far away and traveling is too difficult or just not possible. I hope those that are alone are doing well and are having a very good Christmas! I celebrate with my husband. Most of our family has passed and we miss them so very much -- our parents in particular. Other family members either celebrate with other family members and don't choose to include us, or have totally turned away from us. So, Christmas is bitter sweet for us. Still, we are blessed to have each other.

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin

Sweet Kitties · ‎09-03-2017

I have 4 adult children. Two of them work at our county jail. They always volunteer to work Christmas Eve & day. They get paid extra for doing it. We always postpone our Christmas family celebration for the Saturday after Christmas. I'm not alone though. I have my wonderful husband. We listen to soft Christmas music, talk, & enjoy a glass of wine.

CalminHeart · ‎03-09-2010

Things change as we age. We lose family members. Spouses die. Kids have in-laws and their own families. Friends die. Family is spread out all over the country, world.

Yes, I'm alone today, Christmas Day. I'm going to Mass and then my dog and I will do what we want.

My siblings, spouses, and I got together yesterday for a while to talk, laugh and eat. We always have a good time together.

But really, I'd prefer to skip December altogether.

Pook · ‎03-20-2010

I prefer to be alone and am perfectly happy just being with my dog. I never liked family gatherings and reluctently went out of obligation. While best intentioned, now that my husband died, everyone invites me to their family meals on holidays and don't seem to realize that I like being alone and I would be really uncomfortible at their place.

Sweet Kitties · ‎09-03-2017

@CalminHeart wrote:

Things change as we age. We lose family members. Spouses die. Kids have in-laws and their own families. Friends die. Family is spread out all over the country, world.

Yes, I'm alone today, Christmas Day. I'm going to Mass and then my dog and I will do what we want.

My siblings, spouses, and I got together yesterday for a while to talk, laugh and eat. We always have a good time together.

But really, I'd prefer to skip December altogether.

If it weren't for my one and only grandchild, I'd feel like skipping December too. He's six years old. He's made Christmas fun again. I feel so blessed to have him. I thought I'd never have a grandchild. My daughter was in her late 30's when was born. My other daughter & her husband can't have children. They're not interested in trying to adopt. My two sons are avowed bachelors.

Shanus · ‎05-17-2010

There are many times I wish I could be alone...just me and my DH for the holidays. Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah (usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas) and then dinner for friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Many years ago, this tradition of coming to my house started and although everyone brings a dish, etc. it's still a mess cleaning up and after everyone leaves.

Of course, this doesn't include my kids and 2 grandkids. They're welcome anytime, BUT the last 2 years, they've wanted to bring a couple w/o family nearby and that adds another 2 folks. A few years she wanted to bring 2 friends staying with them whose parents went on a cruise and asked if the kids could stay with my DS's family.

I think sometimes friends take advantage of the ability to go to someone else's house for holidays forgetting that privacy and quiet and peacefulness are so wonderful.

Next year I have a great excuse being in a much smaller "home" w/ one oven, one frig. and eating at our island. No invitations will go out and if anyone asks or just "assumes" I'll just kindly let them know we'd enjoy their company, but it's just too much for me now under these new circumstances.

My daughter and her DH are retiring in two years and moving across the country from Seattle to FL. I'm so excited to have them join in the holidays with us.

PS I miss the huge gatherings with my parents and my brother who are gone now. I always look around and have memories of them not being with us.

Sweet Kitties · ‎09-03-2017

@Shanus wrote:
There are many times I wish I could be alone...just me and my DH for the holidays. Between Thanksgiving, Hanukkah (usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas) and then dinner for friends on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Many years ago, this tradition of coming to my house started and although everyone brings a dish, etc. it's still a mess cleaning up and after everyone leaves.

Of course, this doesn't include my kids and 2 grandkids. They're welcome anytime, BUT the last 2 years, they've wanted to bring a couple w/o family nearby and that adds another 2 folks. A few years she wanted to bring 2 friends staying with them whose parents went on a cruise and asked if the kids could stay with my DS's family.

I think sometimes friends take advantage of the ability to go to someone else's house for holidays forgetting that privacy and quiet and peacefulness are so wonderful.

Next year I have a great excuse being in a much smaller "home" w/ one oven, one frig. and eating at our island. No invitations will go out and if anyone asks or just "assumes" I'll just kindly let them know we'd enjoy their company, but it's just too much for me now under these new circumstances.

My daughter and her DH are retiring in two years and moving across the country from Seattle to FL. I'm so excited to have them join in the holidays with us.

PS I miss the huge gatherings with my parents and my brother who are gone now. I always look around and have memories of them not being with us.

Besides my children & grandson, only extra person I invite over for our holiday gathering is a friend of one of my son's. He's such a sweet man. He's prone to depression. I want him to know he has people who care about him. It's hard on people like that during the holidays. It worries me about him & his intermittent depression during this time of the year.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

DD and I spend xmas eve with the my extended family--have dinner and just get together --there 2 little ones now--one is a boy with autism -- he is kind of a handful and is very vocal in his own world--his little sis is 3 and she is a squealy bundle of energy but can amp up with ear piercing screams---so it is very high energy. And adding my new DIL and her kids--who are adults- there is a of activity going on--happy noise--usually-- but is very tiring after a few hours----then DD and I are on our own xmas day--we cook nice meals and just lounge about. This next month we are moving to a new place so will need to get busy after today. If I knew of someone who was alone--whether they were ok with that or not, I would invite them over.