I'm in a funk. The holidays are upon us and I am trying so hard to stay positive for my children. But, this is so hard.
This will be my first holidays as a divorced woman. It will be the first holidays that I will not have all of my children here on Thanksgiving and possibly for Christmas. I found out this morning from my oldest DD that my X group texted all 4 children last night asking what they were doing for the holidays and making his own plans with them.
Memories come flooding back...this hurts so much.
I am sorry the anticipation of the first holiday season is painful. It's my first too and feeling the same way. Perhaps it will be helpful to have your own plans in place to look forward to? To help you look more forward than looking back. I started a thread - Tips for First Holiday Season for just this reason. http://www.survivinginfidelity.com/forums.asp?tid=512261
Grieving along with you, ML
The good news about lows is that they are followed by an upswing.
Reading your post made me realize that this will also be my first holiday season as a DIVORCED woman. The last several I was single but enduring the painful drawn out scorched earth divorce from an idiot. So YAY for this year!!!
Feel free to join me on that party boat if you pass through the funk.
The funk in the holiday season is NATURAL and COMMON. Be kind to yourself. Make plans for you. If anyone joins you? that is bonus. SI is always open.
I am 5.5 years out from DDay (can't believe so long!) and I was remembering the 2nd Thanksgiving after DDay and how an acquaintance invited me to join her family for Thanksgiving dinner. I am sure part of me was really sad that I didn't have my own family to celebrate with. My sister and BIL were with his family, and my mom was still living back east. Of course X and XILs were no longer part of the picture.
But it was a unique holiday and very special in its own way. I was able to connect to others in a special way. I think back on that Thanksgiving with great fondness and the kindness of this woman who later became a friend.
Amidst the sadness and grief, allow some space for being open to new connections with people, new experiences.
I think if no one invited me to join them, I would volunteer at a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen. There are many many many lonely people worse off than me. Sad, but it puts things in perspective.
Big hugs....
Also really hard for me. I normally spend the holidays alone or with a friend's family.
It's rough.
WS already ask me to watch 3 babies while he is planning his first Christmas to be with OW in Philippine, it hurts me to hear that but I guess nothing I can do....I have to learn to be calm/peaceful and accept it.....
Hugs to all brave ladies out there?
