Community Chat

[grammarqueen]

Going on a decade now, I've been alone for Thanksgiving, ever since my divorce, except for an couple of times someone at my church invited me to dinner. I usually go to the Portuguese American Association clubhouse in my New England town, who puts on a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner every year for people who will be alone like me. I sometimes see friends there, but the faces change every year.

What makes it the hardest for me, is that I have missed Thanksgiving with my now 18 year old son all these years. You see, all of my Ex's extended family gets together only once per year on Thanksgiving Day, so it is the only day my son can see many of his aunts, uncles and cousins. I can't even have him part of the day, because most of the time it means my Ex and my son have to travel out-of-state to get to the gathering. What makes it worse, is that unlike many people, I really loved my in-laws, and I haven't seen these dear folks for all this time now. My own family lives thousands of miles away in Florida, and I could never afford to go home for any of the Holidays.

Think of this as a mini-support group. If you have found yourself alone (no family) for any Thanksgiving, what did you do? Please, I know there are trolls in this community just ready and waiting to make their snide, judgmental comments, but this isn't the time or place. Being alone for any holiday where families gather can be a sad and depressing time for many, so we don't need you to rub salt in the wound.