The holidays can be great, but can also be a sad time, especially with the loss of a loved one or family that can't be here....or you're just plain all alone!
how many of you like myself, have such mixed emotions about the holidays?

Raises hand. It's really hard to like holidays if it's the same old same old and nobody new in my life. I'm a family oriented man, and i don't have one..so holidays just makes me emotionally down.

Thats all part of the holidays, memories of those no longer present, by distance, death, or divorce.

Also make room for new things too. 'Orphaned' folks with no local family make great guests for the Holidays.

eh, I don't really celebrate them in the traditional sense anyway. I have started new traditions with my children. Growing up most were not great memories, maybe that's why I do it different with my boys...they can carry on or start their own with their own families someday.
Always good to move forward..not everything needs to be carried on and passed down...new ideas can be good.

That happens to a lot of people...the holidays can be difficult. I remember just hating christmas when my boys were young and not being able to go get them tons of gifts. That was about the time I changed my way of thinking and doing it different..has been so much better.

Yea, this Thanksgiving I'm spending it alone. My neighbor did invite me over & I had some turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes. Holidays just aren't the same when you don't have family to spend them with.

oh c'mon...there are people sitting in shelters..or going to soup kitchens just to have some sort of holiday. Especially this year..things are tough out there. I think anyone who has a home, a safe, warm, dry place to linger is one of the fortunate ones.

I have my boys..I haven't had a partner for years..some say at least you have your kids, well yes I am grateful for them indeed. It is not the same as a lover, partner. The boys do their thing, mostly I am here alone because they are of an age they are off doing their own thing.

Even alone I am grateful I'm not walking to a soup kitchen for a meal...

Yes the holidays can be mixed emotions.on one hand they are sad for me,but this year my boyfriend just by being in my life is helping me make them better.

I love the Holidays, with or without someone. I always have.

Holidays can be tough since my parents & granny is no longer around and have not been in a very long time. But even though it is tough and I do miss them as well as being single I'm still very thankful that I do have my kids and granddaughter. And try to think of the here and now and not what was.

EXACTLY, so cant oh C'mon anyone...who knows, maybe I am one of those in a shelter...if I am or am not, does it matter? still a warm roof over a head and a meal served, doesnt change the emotional, lonliness part in ANY situaltion, regardless...everyone's emotional life and situation is different

I apologize.. didn't mean to hit a nerve. I also posted how hard the holidays use to be for me...so I understand, didn't respond to that one...

I hope you feel better.

Misery brings people together. I have experienced misery when i grew up, and while it's absolutely terrible to be dirt poor, you are actually richer than the richest man in the world if you got 30 people around you wishing you a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.

NP! Wasnt jumping on you like it sounded, so dang hard to write emotions..lol
but yea, life is tough, its how we deal with it that matters, attitude is everything, even tho we may be sad and down, its the getting up and keep going part that matters

AMEN to that!
My kids used to ask me if we were poor and I would ask them, what do you think? Do you have a roof over your head? a meal today? clothes on your back and someone who loves you? ....It didnt have to go further than that :)

I have experienced poor and rich...I have no family but my boys and have been single for over 10 years....I have experienced both sides of the coin. Was just being positive and optimistic, thought I would spread the feel good...
I'll keep it in the threads where it's welcome....

The way I see it if your online your better off then millions of others for they don't have the luxury of being online.

No matter how bad someone thinks they have it I assure you there are many more that have it even worse.


We should be thankful for what we have instead of regrets of what we don't have..........

Bah humbug

The holidays are my favorite time of the year- I do however remain Thankful even if it isnt a Holiday...
They are bittersweet for me as I have had some family pass away and it isnt the same without them. But I also have new members to ( my new son in law and my grandson Micheal) They bring joy and smiles.

I too have not had a partner for several years now- I could have had someone, but it would have been less than I deserve.

It has been my tradition- to raise my family that the "things" arent what holidays are about- and no matter how bad you may think you have it at the moment there are always people who are without out the basic essentials. So we spend the holidays doing for others and that is the greatest reward. Random anonymous gifts to neighbors or folks less fortunate always seems to make me feel I get way more than I give. its a great feeling.