First of all…You’re not alone! It may well feel like you are and I know how hard it is to cope with that feeling. But you’re not alone.
In the U.S., tomorrow is Thanksgiving. And that lights the fuse of cascading holidays or holiDAZE. Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Years… Even if you’re blessed with angelic relatives who dance in and out of your life sprinkling magic and stardust wherever they go, the holiDAZE can be a lot to handle. For those of us who didn’t come from the stuff of Hallmark movies, the holiDAZE can be….anywhere on the spectrum…from the “oh God eye-roll” to “Will someone please wake me when it’s over?” to….ok, we needn’t go there. You get the picture. It can be uncomfortable….
even downright ugly.
And some have no family at all. So the loneliness factor is so big it’s almost suffocating.
Regardless of the situation, the next 8 weeks can be challenging. But again, you’re not alone!
I think it’s easy to get caught up in the Hallmark fog and presume that everyone else is having a Currier and Ives holiday and we’re the only people in our crummy situation. But that’s just flat out wrong. Whether you’re all alone or you’re stuck with people you’re not resonant with or you’re with people who drive you nuts…You’re not alone. You’re in good company! There are tons of us.
So regardless of your situation over the next 2 months, try not to see yourself as an island. Try to see yourself as a valiant survivor. You’re part of a global network of survivors! We’ve had our hearts broken by the people closest to us and yet we keep believing that the good in them will prevail and someday the holiDAZE will be worth it. And maybe that someday will come and maybe it won’t. All that matters is that YOU WILL PREVAIL!
You’ll prevail because all the stuff that you’ve survived has made you stronger and wiser toward yourself and others. And you’ll survive because our network of survivors needs you. And you’ll survive because a newer member of our family/club needs to see you and know that it’s possible to survive the holiDAZE!
You’ll survive because you’re in good company and because we need you!
I’m glad you’re here 💜
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With Angels and Elephants 
One of the strangest aftereffects of grief for me was realizing how it changes a holiday season. One of the things I hope I never forget about prison is what it’s like to be forgotten there during these times. They are sad thoughts but, as you said, such hopeful reminders of survival and strength. It’s all around us: the way people dust off and keep building and that’s sort of dazzling to me. 😀 Loved this post.
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The holiDAZE have always been challenging for me. I’m glad when they’re in the rear view mirror!
Maybe we need to create a holiDAZE Support Initiative for people in prison? Ya wanna try? I’ll help 💜
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