I officially hate the holidays. There's nothing quite as disheartening as sitting around playing "remember when". Especially when you're by yourself.
The girls typically go with their dad for everything except Christmas, especially now that he's moved since they rarely see him. So that leaves a 16 pound turkey, 5 pounds of mashed taters, stuffing, relish....the works....for the dog and I.
Growing up holidays were huge affairs. Easter and Thanksgiving were at my great-aunt's house while my grandmother hosted Christmas. Every once in a while they would alternate, or someone else would offer to host it only to realize it was a lot more work than they bargained for. Venue aside, the gathering was huge. Granted we often only saw most of the "distant" relatives on holidays it was still family and that's what mattered. Now everyone is scattered to the wind...if not literally then definitely figuratively. My mom moved to Virginia, one aunt to Michigan and another to Arizona. My grandmother and her sister have both passed. As for the family that's still in town...well...we just aren't close anymore. They have their get togethers they just don't see fit to include anyone else.
It's been 6 years now since I have been invited to spend a holiday with my family, even though they live less than 20 minutes away. The twinge of loneliness I get is what I imagine amputees feel when they get phantom pains where their missing limb once was. You know what you once had and have a hard time accepting that it's gone.
The girls typically go with their dad for everything except Christmas, especially now that he's moved since they rarely see him. So that leaves a 16 pound turkey, 5 pounds of mashed taters, stuffing, relish....the works....for the dog and I.
Growing up holidays were huge affairs. Easter and Thanksgiving were at my great-aunt's house while my grandmother hosted Christmas. Every once in a while they would alternate, or someone else would offer to host it only to realize it was a lot more work than they bargained for. Venue aside, the gathering was huge. Granted we often only saw most of the "distant" relatives on holidays it was still family and that's what mattered. Now everyone is scattered to the wind...if not literally then definitely figuratively. My mom moved to Virginia, one aunt to Michigan and another to Arizona. My grandmother and her sister have both passed. As for the family that's still in town...well...we just aren't close anymore. They have their get togethers they just don't see fit to include anyone else.
It's been 6 years now since I have been invited to spend a holiday with my family, even though they live less than 20 minutes away. The twinge of loneliness I get is what I imagine amputees feel when they get phantom pains where their missing limb once was. You know what you once had and have a hard time accepting that it's gone.
