I’m just not feeling Christmas this year. I’m faking it for the sake of others. Spouse wants to put up the tree but...it’s a reminder of what I’ve lost. I don’t know that I’m ready for that.
@Zarffyn :( that's rough. I hope the people around you are understanding and listen to and support you.
@alienghic they are, or are trying. But most people I know didn’t grow up with as close of a relationship with their grandmother like I did.
@Zarffyn there was a time when people had closer relationships with their family. Poets, philosophers or clergy from then may have better words of encouragement and more relatable experience. (I cant tell if the change in families was the industrial revolution or the rise of the automobile)
@Zarffyn Unfortunately friendships grow from familiarity. And the way we build cities these days makes it hard to run into the same people over and over again, in the course of your daily life. This essay has one related view. https://www.vox.com/2015/10/28/9622920/housing-adult-friendship
@alienghic families used to live a lot closer together, yeah. Even in one household. You’d think with easier communication today, distance would be irrelevant. Industry, reliable transportation, and two+ income households being the norm, all seem to be negatively impacting familial relationships