Karen, you are not alone. I have no one but Jerry and the boys. My parents, aunts, uncles, are gone, cousins no where to be found, and my brother who was my hero, died a horrible death 20 years ago, killed by a poisonous spider bite while picking fruit from his mango trees.
You should see my house decorated. The holidays were a huge part of my growing up and my family in heaven would be so mad at me if they knew that I was sad missing them so much at this special time. I know they would never approve of saddness and want me to carry on tradition, so I do, in their honor.
But the thing is, that is about 80% or more decorated with memories. Stuff from when I was a little kid, from my parent's and aunt's homes. Even some of my ornaments on the tree are antiques from their trees, they are just all so old. I am sitting next to a Nativity that is atleast 75 years old. They each mean so much to me. I love my family. I miss my family and I want them back. But I can't, so instead I just try to get through it all by keeping these things close and making sure that the boys know where everything came from, and from whom it came from, so they can then pass it down to their familys in the future. I make sure that traditions from my childhood live on now and in the future will be respected.
Hug on that pretty girl of yours hard as you can and embrace your memories and don't be afraid to make new traditions too. It will help your heart. ((((((( )))))))
