I hope you are doing well. Keeping in touch with friends and family is important this time of year. Call or chat with your loved ones as I am sure they would love to hear from you. They would also be glad to know that you were thinking of them. Stay in touch.

If you feel you have no one to talk to, there are a few members here who would take the time to listen and understand what you are going through. It hasn't been the best of years for many. While I'm not the best guy here and can't say that I would understand what you may be going through, I am familiar with tragedy and trauma myself and am willing to take the time to listen.

Please remember that the good Lord is at the reigns and already knows where the journey goes, even if it is not what where you originally wanted to be.

Take care, good luck, and God bless.

Great post! Many of us don't think of those who are alone. Kudos to you!

That IS a great post! Thank you. I happen to be one of the ones you refer to, but it's not uncommon in my industry and I've been through it many times before. But like you said, this year has been particularly difficult for most of us and many could use a kind ear, word or thought. Your post alone gives a lot of hope!

It'll be 4 years this Christmas. Wake up and no one here at home but me and the dog.
I have family close but after today, it's just going to be me and the dog all Christmas day.
I'm good with it. The dog is more loyal than anyone I know.

quote:

Originally posted by joatmonv:
It'll be 4 years this Christmas. Wake up and no one here at home but me and the dog.
I have family close but after today, it's just going to be me and the dog all Christmas day.
I'm good with it. The dog is more loyal than anyone I know.

That may true but it is nice we think of those alone for the holidays
I am lucky with a great wife and lots of other people around but some are less fortunate

I'll be alone. I never married and have no kids. Two nephews live miles away in Phoenix, AZ and I seldom see them. My only cousin who lived nearby died a couple of Christmases ago. I still have about a dozen first cousins alive, but the closest one to me lives in Claremore, OK, 5 hours away. He's only a couple of months younger than I am and never goes anywhere. I last saw him in 2017.

However, in years past I could count on my friends in the church and choir to brighten my spirits--handbells, too (2 groups). COVID has put all those things on hiatus, at least from a personal standpoint. I attend church online, and we've had a couple of choir events that bring a few of us together in staggered groups. And one of the other Tenors had me to his home for dinner the day after Thanksgiving--was a great time! My 83th birthday is a few days away, and it's possible I'll have dinner out with someone from the choir.

I've been retired since Dec 2006, but my former workmates usually have a lunch together the first Thursday of each month; that has been cancelled by COVID, too.

My weekly medical treatment each Friday has been my major time to see live humans other than for brief shopping or drive-thru food. Even that stopped for a while when one of the crew tested positive for COVID.

Thanks for thinking of us folks who live alone. I at least have 5 indoor cats and 1 outdoors. We don't have great conversations, but at least they cuddle.

So far am not showing COVID symptoms, so I've been successful in foiling the bug. Trying to keep it that way until the vaccine is available to me. (At 83 I think it's logical to have it.)

flashguy

Good thread 38.

My advice is to not buy into the marketing hype as that’s all it is. Keep your mind on God and Christ. Skip the commercials or content about a big family around some fire singing songs and what not. Watch movies, play video games. Cook yourself something really good. If none of that works, post. We’ll be here.

God Bless us all, everyone.

It seems as though we see this thread every year and every year I am thankful for it. Sometimes reaching out to those around us even for a quick word is enough to warm our spirits as well as another's.

I know with the stress of this year on businesses everywhere (not just mine) there are plenty of people who are suffering quietly and trying to soldier on without stressing out the loved ones around them. That's a type of loneliness as well.

I am thankful for this terrific place as a refuge and support.

Merry Christmas fellas. God be with you all.

I wish things were different for those people who are alone, not only for Christmas, but through out the year.

For those with pets, please do consider having a directive, on what to do with your pet/s should something happen to you. And arrange if possible for friends or neighbors to check on you, so if you died, your pet wouldn't starve.

The wife will be visiting the grand kids in Maui and son will be visiting his mother in law in North Carolina. Gonna hang with the cats and maybe a neighbor or two. I am good with this because we have a strong family. I do send good thoughts to those who are going to be alone and don't like it.

quote:

Originally posted by rsbolo:
God Bless us all, everyone.

It seems as though we see this thread every year and every year I am thankful for it. Sometimes reaching out to those around us even for a quick word is enough to warm our spirits as well as another's.

I know with the stress of this year on businesses everywhere (not just mine) there are plenty of people who are suffering quietly and trying to soldier on without stressing out the loved ones around them. That's a type of loneliness as well.

I am thankful for this terrific place as a refuge and support.

Merry Christmas fellas. God be with you all.

So very true. Thank you for the insight as well as the thread itself.

quote:

Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
I wish things were different for those people who are alone, not only for Christmas, but through out the year.

For those with pets, please do consider having a directive, on what to do with your pet/s should something happen to you. And arrange if possible for friends or neighbors to check on you, so if you died, your pet wouldn't starve.

My pets will be OK--I'm being checked on regularly. Thanks for the warning, though.

Merry Christmas for all here. It's a great community.

flashguy

Happy Birthday, flashguy!

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Happy Birthday, flashguy!

Well, you're a few days early, but thank you very much, anyway.

flashguy

FaceTime makes a big difference, for me at least. While I’m 5,000 miles away from family we’re all in touch almost every day at least once which is more than a lot of people who live in the same town can say. Also, there are a number of us in similar circumstances here so there’s always people around to do stuff with.

If anyone is in the Houston area and doesn’t want to be alone let me know, we can get together. It’s use my wife and daughter but I am grateful for that. My mom and dad have both passed away and I do not have any other family in the immediate area. We do not do much but you are welcome to join us.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:

quote:

Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
I wish things were different for those people who are alone, not only for Christmas, but through out the year.

For those with pets, please do consider having a directive, on what to do with your pet/s should something happen to you. And arrange if possible for friends or neighbors to check on you, so if you died, your pet wouldn't starve.

My pets will be OK--I'm being checked on regularly. Thanks for the warning, though.

Merry Christmas for all here. It's a great community.

flashguy

Flash, just a note here.... IIRC, you are about 15 minutes from me. If you need anything let me know. I’d be happy to help. Christmas will be me and the Maligator which is only a little bit different than normal. I usually volunteer at the Union Gospel Mission off of 35 close to Downtown D and go to Mass but not this year. Happy Holidays to all and keep Christ in your mind, your heart, and in your prayers. He died for all of us and the tree, the lights, the gifts, the food is zero in comparison to his spilled blood and be nailed up for all of us in a torturous death.

If anyone is near Temple, I will gladly make an extra space at the table for you. I know what it’s like to be miles away and alone...I spent my first Christmas in the CG on duty and then caught New Years duty too...

My email is in my profile and I can be reached at two five two two niner zero zero four six seven.

God bless you all, and God bless the USA.

[/QUOTE]
Happy Holidays to all and keep Christ in your mind, your heart, and in your prayers. He died for all of us and the tree, the lights, the gifts, the food is zero in comparison to his spilled blood and be nailed up for all of us in a torturous death.[/QUOTE]

Amen! Always remember the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to all.

As rsbolo noted above - We are here to hear and stay in touch.

I typically check the Forum out daily. It is a great place to be “grounded” with rational friends and conversation.

To anyone being alone through the season - As far as being in touch locally, the virus has put the hammer down on many of the holiday events. Still, it might be worth calling around to see if there are any “Soup kitchens” that will be serving Christmas dinner. Either attend for a good meal or (better yet) volunteer to help serve.

I have volunteered for many things in my life and often it is a very rewarding experience.