I know many in my local community who face a holiday season without loved ones, some so very recent like the 49 year old mom of two who walked into the ER last Thursday with pneumonia and was gone within 24 hours from sepsis and others who have been without for decades.

If you find these holidays hard, know that you are not alone. If you need someone to talk to...I’m a nobody...but my email is in my profile.

For the rest of us, amidst all the busyness and travel, perhaps we might look for ways to care for those around us in intangible ways. I, for one, will make an effort to try to understand those who might be a bit more withdrawn than normal.

I don’t know who to attribute this quote to but...

“What if mankind was made up of kind men and women?”

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjames,

Very kind, sir. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

My email is in my profile also.

This holiday season is not starting out too well. But it could be a lot worse, I still have much to be thankful for.

My email is here too.

I never married and my parents and sibling are gone; the only Cousin in this area died last fall and I doubt I'll see much of her family from now on. My church choir frequently has someone who will invite me to Thanksgiving dinner, or dinner on my birthday and, of course, I am very appreciative of that (and take a gift). However, my health is OK and I am very thankful that God has been so good to me. My e-mail is public and I'll also be happy to correspond with anyone who is feeling "down".

I may travel 60 miles north to see my Best Friend over the holiday. We haven't been together lately.

flashguy

^^^
Take the trip if you can, Flashguy. My best friend is about 175 miles from me for half the year, then in Florida, and for various reasons we don't get together very often. It's been about five years since the last time.

quote:

Originally posted by newtoSig765:
^^^
Take the trip if you can, Flashguy. My best friend is about 175 miles from me for half the year, then in Florida, and for various reasons we don't get together very often. It's been about five years since the last time.

Oh, we see each other fairly often, because it's a short trip (about an hour's drive). We eat at a restaurant I like up there (Huck's, serves outstanding catfish!). He's 17 years my junior, but in many ways he's like the brother I never had. We'll definitely be seeing each other very soon. My other Best Friend (I have 2) lives on the east coast and we only see each other about every 5-10 years. You need to make a reason to see your BFF!

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by shovelhead:
This holiday season is not starting out too well. But it could be a lot worse, I still have much to be thankful for.

My email is here too.

I’m sorry, shovelhead. Here to talk if you’d like. I’ll offer a prayer for you today.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I never married and my parents and sibling are gone; the only Cousin in this area died last fall and I doubt I'll see much of her family from now on. My church choir frequently has someone who will invite me to Thanksgiving dinner, or dinner on my birthday and, of course, I am very appreciative of that (and take a gift). However, my health is OK and I am very thankful that God has been so good to me. My e-mail is public and I'll also be happy to correspond with anyone who is feeling "down".

I may travel 60 miles north to see my Best Friend over the holiday. We haven't been together lately.

flashguy

Thanks for sharing, flashguy. I’m grateful to hear that there’s a community around you. Makes all the difference.

This will be the first family Thanksgiving without my mom. I think I'm OK but I'm worried about my Dad. I know it will be tough on him. Thanksgiving was the one holiday where the family got together every year at my parents house. I know my Mom and Dad looked forward to it every year. The kids are all going this year as usual, but it's not going to be the same.

What a nice offer and gesture—-thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving.

I will be working Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas day again this year. My family will be in Florida, and the significant other will be in Durham

If anyone needs to talk I will be on duty on those days from 2100 to 0700 here in Charlotte.

quote:

Originally posted by ChicagoSigMan:
This will be the first family Thanksgiving without my mom. I think I'm OK but I'm worried about my Dad. I know it will be tough on him. Thanksgiving was the one holiday where the family got together every year at my parents house. I know my Mom and Dad looked forward to it every year. The kids are all going this year as usual, but it's not going to be the same.

I would imagine it will be a tough day. Praying that the sweet memories will outweigh the sad.

If anyone in Gulf coast Texas (just north of Houston) wants to share Thanksgiving, let me know. We have lots of people coming, and plenty of chow.

Thank you for the post..

There are kind men and women on this forum. That is for sure. Thank you

Thanks. Been through a few hard times myself and am willing to help out also.

quote:

Originally posted by ChicagoSigMan:
This will be the first family Thanksgiving without my mom. I think I'm OK but I'm worried about my Dad. I know it will be tough on him. Thanksgiving was the one holiday where the family got together every year at my parents house. I know my Mom and Dad looked forward to it every year. The kids are all going this year as usual, but it's not going to be the same.

My mother passed away three days before Thanksgiving many years ago. I will be praying for you, your Dad, and your family.

Thank you for the thoughts and offer in the post. I lost my father at Christmastime 30 years ago this Dec. 22/23 (depending on how you count the day from beginning of the heart attack to the end when they called it at the hospital). Still leaves an unfilled hole. But it gets easier as time goes on. Mostly due to family and friends, but a lot because of people like you.

Again, thank you and bless you and yours.

If you guys wouldn't mind saying a prayer for my father in law.

He's paraplegic, stuck at home alone with wife traveling and the relationship on the rocks. His mother died today and he lost his dog as well. So he is alone, sad, grieving, and without the one creature in the world who would never hurt him.

I couldn't imagine a worst week for anyone.