Happy Holidays, James. If I knew where you were, I would invite you to future holidays with my family. We have invited many individuals in the past that were unable to be with their families and adopted them as part our own. We are not fancy and it is not about the gifts. In fact, we didn't get to gifts for quite a long time this year because we were so busy visiting with one another.

After reading this, I plan to invite a group students from a nearby college for Easter who are left behind at school.

That is SUCH an awesome thing to do. :):)

(((((James)))))

This is very touching. :(
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a very happy new year!

Giving this an early bump. I need a good cry right now.

This is the first time I've seen this, and it brought a tear to my eye.

Much love to all GC friends who's tables aren't as full as they'd like them to be at the holidays. I wish I could invite you all to mine. *hugs*

Thank you for bumping this! It has always been a powerful reminder, but this year, I needed to read it more than ever.

Happy holidays, GCers.

This will be my first year without parents. I don't know how I'm going to do it. Who wants someone who can't quit crying around? The only thing I can think of doing is to volunteer at a nursing home or something. Even the boy can't get here before the Sunday afterwards, so that will be my Christmas, I guess.

Sorry, but I'm just feeling sorry for myself tonight.

Wow. From the title I thought this was a forward. Very Christmas-like indeed.

I just moved back home and am enjoying my parents. I love the holidays and finally have family around me. I'm not letting that go anytime soon. Thanks for the reminder. ♥

My first time read this also and just on another note, it reminds me of the family I lost.

Short version, it's one of those situations when an important family member passes and everyone else scatters to the winds.

I haven't seen most of my blood relatives in over 10 years but what i hold most dear to me is people who we call 'family' doesn't always have to be related by blood.

I have close friends who I consider family and that is who I spend my holidays with and also soon to be in laws.

Sometimes we lose great things early only to gain greater things later and for that I am most appreciative.

Oh, honeychile, I wish I could give you a big hug!

Oh sweetie, if you want to come to Texas and be on the farm, you are MORE than welcome!

The boys (Iggy and Buddy) would be more than happy to have another character around (besides myself and my mother) and the rest of the family would welcome you here!

Honey, you can cry all you want to and just know that the Good LORD is hearing your tears and keeping you comfort at this time.

Same here girlfriend. I have an idea - let's go see Sherlock Holmes and take our mind off our plight by watching HOT HOT MEN. Oh and IHOP is open so we can go there and gorge ourselves. (I'm sure it's not the only place, obviously things will be open in Sq Hill.)

Srsly, if you want to get together and do something, let me know.

Bless you both real good. Like I said, I know I'm just feeling sorry for myself, and I'll snap out of it eventually. Last night was a very bad night. But, the more I think about it, I think I'll take the puppy to visit some nursing home clients. He could brighten up some others' days.

OTW, I got the dreaded red x. I can remember a Christmas that was rough for you, but I forget the jpg. Glad to hear that life's going better for you!

There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I survived it last year, so I know you can do it too. Oh, and I'll happily take you if you want to travel! :)

It worked! Thanks again! Now, to remember what Linus says, and to take it to heart! "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." :)