Since we moved out of Texas, this is our first year in our new home for the winter.
The biggest drawback, aside from the snow and howling winds, is that all our family is back in Texas. We will essentially be by ourselves for Christmas this year. My family is scattered across the state, and my stepkids are similarly scattered, but one of them lived a short drive from us, as did the stepgrandkids. Even though we weren’t located physically close together, being in the same state made it feel like they were still “close”.
I am used to being by myself. I do not have a wide circle of friends, mostly by design. I’m pretty much an introvert, but one friend has described me as “an introvert with social skills”. I can get along with people quite well, but I don’t seek out those interactions. I find lots of social activity draining and need lots of “alone time” to regenerate my energy. I have a few friends here in our new place, but most of my friends are back in Texas. I’ve got a few friends among my online communities as well.
The wife, on the other hand, is an extrovert. She may say otherwise, but she is. She’ll start up a conversation with people standing in line at the grocery store checkout. Or at the pool. Or just about anywhere else. She likes people and thrives on social interaction.
She is feeling the absence of her kids and grandkids more acutely this time. I believe this is the first time she will spend a Christmas without her family. She has me, and the dogs, but it is not the same. There’s something about spending the holiday with family that can’t be matched. Even families that don’t get along share that familial bond during this time.
I do my best to keep her spirits up. I feel as if I’m not up to the task but she assures me that she is very happy with me. We love each other and they say love makes the world go ’round. I guess we keep each other spinning.
We’ve made phone calls to all the grandkids at this point. It is small comfort but at least the wife gets to share some of the season with them, even if it is just remotely. We’ve also talked to her kids several times now. We can at least find out what is going on with everybody.
All the Christmas presents have been mailed off and should be at their destinations by now. We’ve gotten the gifts from the kids. I’m diligently not opening mine until Christmas morning. Okay, maybe Christmas Eve.
I hope you are getting to spend time with loved ones this holiday season, my Hordeling. If so, give them a hug for me and appreciate their presence in your life.
If you’d like to support my efforts, why not buy me a chocolate chip cookie through my Ko-Fi page? https://ko-fi.com/jhusum