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I spent Christmas Eve alone; called and spoke to my mother and my grandson Christmas morning, then went to the movies with some friends. My oldest son and girlfriend came for a few hours Christmas night, and the youngest will be here tonight.
I was content. I don't have to have company on a particular day; I see my family members, all 4 + SOs, whenever we feel like it.
When my boys were kids, there were massive family squabbles every Christmas from their dad's side of the family. People who couldn't be bothered with each other the rest of the year made big powerplays to schedule who was doing what at what time; it took the joy out of the season. When I divorced their dad, I simplified it by telling him he could pick the boys up at noon on christmas day, short-circuiting the wars until they graduated from high school and began to chart their own courses, at which point they were recruited for the Christmas wars again. They solved this problem when their dad died, by not leaving contact information with his family.
These days, we don't have to have a big pageant or any pressure for the holiday. We see each other sometime around the time; sometimes all together, other times, like this year, separately. Now they've got girlfriends' families who jealously guard holiday time. Our idea of a good holiday is to spend some time together, and enjoy each other's company without stress or extra work.
And I'm happy on my own. :shrug:
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