I'm glad you're here with us tonight, ollieberry! Best Christmas wishes to you!

hey man, and others in the same boat, I understand what its like, I feel for you at the moment, it really sucks. I have been there, had my kids taken away once and don't speak to my family so was very much alone. Thank fully all was resolved a long time ago re kids, so am ok at the moment. But you have my caring thoughts at this time.

This time of year has been hard for me ever since my wife died. This is especially true since the anniversary of her death starts the holiday season, and to me, the holidays have always been about spending time with the people close to you. The traditional forced jolliness does not help a bit.

Ollie, we all have ourselves...being alone is not just having someone next to us...you can feel alone in a football stadium ....but if we like who we are, we never alone...do not forget you always have you... little sappy huh?

Christmas is not a time to be alone. I feel for you.

I was originally going to be alone, then my family (aunt and uncle) have me over. Feel better. Happy Holidays.

Hmm my Christmas is a little awkward, considering I’m like the black sheep of the family. So here I am on this site tonight.

My xmas is totally different this year. There was only my Mom, me, my sister and two of her kids here for dinner. My nephews family and my niece and soninlaw came late, and my daughters family will be here tomorrow. But only my Mom, my sisters family, and I will be here for xmas dinner. My Brother’s family is at his in-laws. We are usually all together for like four days.

This is the second xmas since my Dad died, and my Mom has cancer and is going through chemo. So it’s pretty different on all sides.

But surrounded by all the stockings, the presents, the tree, and lying in my couch bed, covered in my three chihuahuas, I’m still a little sad and lonely.

Yes sir most my family have passed away and my son was taken although i finally got custody of him after a 2 yr court battle but won't be finalized until January 11th so it's been rough

Sorry to hear that you're alone for the holiday. I've never been alone at Christmas but I think everyone experiences loneliness at some point in there life and I've had my share.

Connecting with people online might help make it easier for you. Even on Christmas day there are some restaurants and movie theaters that are open which might help occupy some of your time.

Maybe next year you could invite friends or family over to your home. You could volunteer at a homeless shelter or a retirement home. Some community centers are open on Christmas as well.

I hope you find something or someone to help you feel less lonely. Take care.

Yah! I'm realizing how old I'm getting. We're in the same situation as you. I'm appreciating my wife. I need company. A good partner. I lived alone and found out it sucks. Not everybody requires a roommate. It's how I'm programed. It feels good.

no I'm on my own well with my lovely dogs

Winter holiday is special to me too, and to my daughters, their beaus and I are all either atheist or agnostic. The idea of peace on Earth and the effect of laying down arms, exchanging gifts, an opportunity to show caring. I need to be together with them, the society allows the time as vacation, so that is least, kind. I don't like the exclusive nature of religion, that part does hurt, loneliness hurts. You are not alone, in being true to yourself, and in being away from persons that might make you wish that you were alone. Too many memories of that sense.
I hope that it gets less difficult for you. This year was lucky for me, every year is different. wishing you peace and joy today, and always.

All alone.

I would usually be with family at Christmas. My dad is 94 and just got out of the hospital for a newly diagnosed cardiac condition. He is in a rehab right now Would like to be home. Too far so I took a road trip

I'm okay with my partner and cat. But I sympathise with you and hope you feel better. Hey, matter never disappears maybe? My partners an orphan and has lost most of his family and my grandmothers been having strokes she hasn't been sharing with doctors. [gifimage.net] Merry Christmas man.

My parents and grandparents are gone and my brother is involved with his own family, so I usually don't do much for the holidays either.

The holidays (especially christmas) are more for kids anyway, and I have good memories from those days. As an adult, the holidays are just a pain in the ass.

I certainly understand what you're going through. My kids have all gone and I moved to Tennessee a few years ago for work. I see them very rarely, which is really sad. I haven't been able to make any friends here either. I don't know, I think I forgot how! So I spend every night in my place with my cat. I didn't think I would turn out to be the lonely cat lady! And it is especially hard this time of year!

I do not believe your being an atheist has much to do with your feelings of aloneness at this holiday time. We are basically alone inside ourselves. And it seems most pronounced during these holidays! No one else will ever go deep within us as that is impossible! But, once that is acknowledged, we realize that it is not a flaw and can get on with doing more to simply interact with others that will give us our place in this world full of 'others!' Some of which are really enjoying themselves!! Sometimes, that is the best that can happen...at these times! I have had many of these bad holiday 'times!' But, fearlessly looking into my inner person, has shed more senseable light on the matter! Good luck, Ruth OKelley

I am sorry that your Christmas will not meet your expectations. However, being brought up Jewish, I never had a fondness for the Christian holidays. I do not like most of the modern music, listening to the same 43 songs sung by hundreds of artists over and over again. The classical stuff is OK in my book. Most of my family is dead or lives a thousand miles away. Missing people? No. I will celebrate the holidays on December 28 with friends and family and exchange Saturnalia gifts.

You're 2 hrs from me-we should get NH, ME and MA people together around Kittery.

Me too I really wish I had someone special to celebrate with. After my husband died I had to create a lot of New Traditions, and it really does help. I always feel down at Christmas. Feel free to send me pm if you need to talk.