Sending love to anyone by themselves today!

[SheffieldJane]

And to all of us missing folk 💜🎄💜

[Mstiles]

Thank you Jane for your thoughtful post. I’m so fortunate to be with my son and my sister today, but there are many who are alone on holidays.

All the best to you on Christmas and for the new year, and thank you for all your kind and loving posts. 💕💖

[Telian]

Thank you Jane.

Our son in Oz is feeling it.

More so now we’re in Yorkshire with our eldest - so all together except for one...

🎄🌺🌲🌺🎄🌺🎄

[Hidden]

You are always so sweet Jane.

My son is in California and I am in Oregon. My sister is in Portland. I seem to always be by myself but instead of feeling sorry and and sad I have decided to celebrate with my cat. It felt wonderful to take a nap and not feel guilty. As a present to myself I just ordered new paint brushes. My art table is starting to look like I am busy hehehe...

My son sent me some yummy meats from Omaha and I am going to feast.

This morning it snowed and was beautiful. I made a table outside for my birds and they came to eat.

My sis n her hubby will be here on Friday getting their last load. I have been working on reducing my stress and it actually feels good to be by myself. No demands on me which also feels great.

My eye doc wanted me to go down to 12mgs from 14 but since I had 2.5 tabs I went there. Will stay here for 2 weeks then we plan to do the adrenal function tests and stay at 10 for awhile. I will need to look up all that is involved in that test.

Being alone will give me the free rein to work on my own health. My new neighbor is very sweet and not demanding at all and I like it like that.

God bless you and Happy New Year full of blessings and health

[SheffieldJane in reply to Hidden]

You are really selling alone time to me, you make it sound freeing and magical. Just you and your cat, all cosy warm, looking out at the silent falling snow. I am on my way! Hugs xx There you go again, making a village wherever you go. Let us hope that next year brings only good things!

[PMRCanada]

You are so sweet to acknowledge those who are alone this holiday season. Last night I stayed home alone, sick on the sofa, while hubby and step dad headed out to attend his nieces open house. I didn’t want to get anyone else sick. It was my first Christmas Eve alone that I can remember.

Before they headed out my OH picked me up some delicious spicy pho beef soup. I snuck into my frozen stash of sweets and enjoyed 2 delicious shortbread cookies while I watched season 4 of Mad Men on Netflix. A nice cup of tea with some Tylenol cold tablets rounded out my evening.

Feeling much better today, and managed to cook a turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and make cheese sauce, and put together a cabbage roll casserole. My dear sweet husband cut up all the cabbage, washed 4 loads of dishes and scrubbed the stove top where I had accidentally let the potatoes boil over. He also vacuumed and scrubbed floors. All this in preparation for our Comfort and Joy Open House tomorrow. Expecting about 24 people and folks are bringing their favourite comfort meal for a pot luck dinner (think macaroni and cheese, potatoes and gravy, and Christmas sweets...carb overload). We will get to visit with family and friends (including my ex-husband’s brother, cousin and family, and aunt/uncle who are visiting my adult kids including my son/partner expecting twins). I feel like I should have just invited my ex too!

All this to say I am feeling very loved and very blessed. I am reminded that whether we are alone, or surrounded by many, Christmas is what you make it. Some years it’s an all out production, and others it is peaceful and quiet. Although I cherish those closest to me, I’m also ok with my own company (and that of my forum friends).

Hoping you holidays are happy Jane. You are one of the kindest and most compassionate folks on this forum!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRCanada]

Well that would have suited me, a paced Christmas. Your food sounds just what I really like too. Season 4 of Mad Men is the best isn’t it?. I watched Call the Midwife, by myself with tears streaming down my face and Miracle on 34th Street, the 1940’s version of course and the tears continued. OH and son playing guitar in the front sitting room. I hope you feel much better now. I got so many photos and videos from my family that I need to address the problem of IPad storage for the first time. Who can delete footage of joyous children? Whatever cabbage Roll casserole is, I want some!! X

[Blearyeyed in reply to PMRCanada]

Oh gosh Canada , I'm so sorry .

I hope you feel better soon , take care , there is always New Year for celebrating when you are on your feet again.

Big hugs xxx

[Blearyeyed]

Lovely thought SJ , hope you had a good day xx

[Blurry62]

I'm bending over so you can deliver a swift kick in the seat of the pants.

I'm relieved To be In bed and have Christmas over. I really struggled. I'm sorry but, I really really struggled. Upped my prednisone a whole mg because my head hurts., mourned an addict sons alienation, and fought the blues constantly because I kept being reminded of the gca that prevents me from emotionally engaging in large amounts of joyful time with my family. I tried to remember what you all said about being aware Of my own needs during this time, and how we all tend to be more sensitive etc.. it helped temporarily.

I've been on a downward slide for a month now haven't I. I am sue several recall throwing out a lifeline. Thank you. Thank you. I wish there was a GCA PMR retreat to go to. We could all be together in person! We could talk together and

slow would be normal. Getting out of a chair with difficulty would be common and everyone would be encouraged to hammock in a lovely breeze.

Merry Christmas

I am thankful for you r support and insight.

Please forgive typos. It's late and I can't see well right now.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Blurry62]

A PMR/GCA retreat sounds like genius idea. You got through it. If any of your cross feelings are to do with guilt about not doing it all, banish that immediately. I know the deep grief of a child appearing to self destruct. I pray you receive the Easter miracle I did many years ago, that continues to this day. We can feel like the spectre at the feast with a fake smile plastered on, or like we are in a bubble no one can reach. Nobody here would ever deliver a kick in the pants. More like a hug of empathic understanding. I hope you are cuddled up asleep and dreaming of running in meadows with the breeze in your hair. X

See the doctor about your poor head. I might be tempted to go up more than 1 mg. I sneaked an extra 1 mg, it kept me awake at least, unfortunately, it still is. 😘

[Blearyeyed in reply to Blurry62]

So sorry that you are going through such a hard time , it will pass , but sometimes it doesn't make you feel that much better hearing it when you are in the thick of things does it.

A retreat sounds like something lovely , but you could always pretend you are already in one here with Us on the forum.

Picture us all doing the same , taking it slow wherever we are , we may not be able to speak and hug in person but we are there in every way but . Kind , supportive words flow to and fro between us all , just typed instead of spoken. Real Understanding is offered in our Forum shaped house. Electric hugs and Empathy are shared and given generously on a daily basis whenever you need them , and the good thing is that you can go back and have the same hug again and again by being able to reread a reply . We have our Retreat of sorts , and we don't have to annoy the symptoms by getting out of bed to take advantage of them.

So come and have a little retreat here with Us all each day , and hopefully we can help get you through this rocky time and back on your feet again soon.

Big hugs xxx

[Suet3942]

You are a truly nice person Jane. Always ready with kind and empathetic words. 🌹

[Hollyseden]

Thoughtful as ever and saying all the right things. Thanks for that 🌸