This is looking like a worst Xmas scenario...

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

I have a pretty large extended family and Amazoned a lot of gifts. Thanksgiving, I bought the Turducken and fixin's for a pretty large crowd of family. As of now... not a word from anyone for a Christmas gathering. I understand a bit as I have to be hooked to my portable O2 concentrator and usually don't hang for over 2-3 hours.

To make up for it I sent my out of state daughter enough cash to assure a nice Christmas for her and my grand-kids and bought a litre of JD.

I have vented my feel sorry shit, thanks for reading and truly... Happy holidays to all.

[Kid Berwyn]

1. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Tom Yossarian Joad!

I bet your family is most literate and wonderful!

Peace and Joy throughout the New Year!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. Thank you so much.

[Dagstead Bumwood]

3. So, you buy gifts, furnish the food

and don't stay over a couple of hours? Man, you sound like the prefect guest. Sorry those people don't appreciate you as they should. Hope you have a merry Christmas despite them.

[Grasswire2]

4. Tom!

Is there any chance your daughter can meet you for New Year's? Or some other time soon? How far away is she?

You sound like a really good friend and father and Grandpa.

Some of us have to rely on TV re-runs for holiday joy because of missing family or friends. Shouldn't be that way.

Many good wishes coming your way.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. Unfortunately. too far for me at the moment.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

5. In your heart if you feel as you have done...

what you can to the best you can...you are an awesome person. Have a very warm and Merry Christmas with a joyful New Year to follow.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. Thanks. Perfect.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

8. Feliz Navidad.

Paz

[42bambi]

15. Gracias and a Feliz ao nuevo to you.

[RestoreAmerica2020]

57. A gift to you, and other DUers out there..here's a few of my favorites by Jose Feliciano, Santana y

..and Beethoven's 9th ode to joy [a great video found on DU post] Happy Holidays to all!

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DxMtuVP8Mj4o&ved=2ahUKEwjjkubqyM7mAhX-JzQIHZAzDfsQuAIwDHoECAQQBA&usg=AOvVaw04RVqjcRdI8XG2Z5KRI08d

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DTsW1tbHeZC4&ved=2ahUKEwjD7Oe9ys7mAhVcCTQIHWagBbEQwqsBMAJ6BAgEEAo&usg=AOvVaw3nhI6bwbN0z-2rP1zNSBct

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="

" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture"

[CountAllVotes]

9. Don't feel alone

I received 4 Christmas cards this year and that is it (one from chewy.com ) ...

I just lost my brother-in-law on the 15th.

There have been 3 other deaths in my world this year.

So, its going out with a big boom I hope.

My father died right before Thanksgiving almost 22 years ago. It has never been any good since he died.

I wouldn't take it personally.

Just do whatever you were planning to do and gee, I find it odd that no one contacted you or gave you a thank you for a gift.

Christmas just is not what it once was for me as the magic and wonder have died.

Hang-in there! Its almost over!!!!!

And most importantly, take care!!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

10. +1

[Cryptoad]

11. Got da Christmas Blues,

I got the Cure ,,,,try this: Put some $ in an envelope, go in Walmart to the third cash register and give ur envelope to whoever the person being checked out,,,wish them a Merry Christmas,,,, turn around and walk away.! Love it!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

16. I loke that!

[Maraya1969]

61. I love it too.

[Roy Rolling]

12. You don't want to hear this

It’s better to give than to receive. You are a wonderfully generous person, I can’t believe nobody will call. But if they don’t, find someone you can give your time to.

There’s plenty of people who value your company, even when it seems you’re alone.

[gab13by13]

13. Merry Christmas Tom Yossarian Joad,

The only way to get anything out of life is by giving and it looks like you are doing that fine.

Just think, Donald Trump will go to his grave and never realize that.

[Raine]

14. I know the feeling..

❤

[Tetrachloride]

17. Merry Christmas from Madison Wisconsin

[Heartstrings]

59. And Merry Christmas from Madison as well!

[Harker]

18. Merry Christmas from

Pennsylvania!

[Marie Marie]

34. Make that a second greeting for Pennsylvania...

I hope that you can find a way to celebrate in your heart.

[Harker]

49. Looks like we're piling it on.

[CaptYossarian]

19. Family isn't ever like we envisioned it to be. People move for jobs, become

estranged, get committed to in-laws for the holidays, or develop apathy.

It's not the same, but know that you're appreciated here and try to have a happy holiday season.

[Alliepoo]

20. If you lived near me

I’d come over and get you-you could hang at my house for 2-3 hours !! Sending good holiday thoughts from Ohio!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

22. And would have a grand time I'm sure.

[jmbar2]

21. Where do you live?

You don't have to answer that.

But if you were close to me, it would be fun to spend some time with another DUer. You're a good egg. I think we have the nicest people.


Drink a little toast to your DU family. We will do the same to you.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

23. Big hugs!

[mahina]

24. Hearts with you.

It’s going to work out. Some will come. Thinking of you. Aloha Tom.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

27. Mahalo nui

[H2O Man]

25. Merry Christmas, Friend!

Perhaps a few of us can "meet up" here on DU on Wednesday. All of my children are here at the moment, but as young adults, will be busy much of the week. I'm not big on holidays myself. But I am interested in political-social discussions!

[ananda]

26. You are not alone.

I am not much in the Christmas spirit this season.

And hardly anyone I know is either, like 90%.

I can't wait till it's just over!

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

28. plus 1

[KY_EnviroGuy]

29. Partly a sign of the times, Tom.

Not sure if this applies to your family or not, but I'm seeing the traditional large family get-togethers dwindling over the last 20 or 30 years, as families are spread out all over creation, many have high debt loads and high stress jobs make folks just want some down time at home.

I'm just finishing what's probably the worst year of my life as far a losing people close to me and it's going to be a gloomy one here. So, you're not alone. I hope you can find a friend to spend some time with.

An old default partial cure for my cases of poor-me is writing a gratitude list, and I'm way overdue right now. I at least have my two adult kids alive and well, I have no extreme health issues myself today and a roof over my head. It felt pretty darn good just to chat with two old friends on the phone today.

I hope your love and generosity is appreciated. Happy holidays to you and your family.......

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

36. I so feel for your losses.

I'm gonna go full nerd and binge-watch Netflix's Lost in Space season 2 for the holiday.

[sprinkleeninow]

30. Ima callin'--Ring! Ring!

Have yourself a peace-filled lovely Christmas Eve and Day!

Christmas in your heart. It sorely ain't how it used to be decades past.

You may receive unexpected blessings from people out there you are not acquainted with or related to. It's happening to me.

Christ is Born!
Give Him Glory!

Love from The Carolinas 💖

[guillaumeb]

32. I am happy for you S.

Have a great Christmas.

[sprinkleeninow]

33. And may you and yours as well, Guill. 💖

The true Christmas Spirit has finally manifested today. It took some time appearing.

Christ is Born!
Give Him Glory!

[guillaumeb]

31. Happy holidays to you as well.

A suggestion. Are there any social service agencies in the area that you trust? There might be some people in a similar situation that would like to spend some time with you.

Again, happy holidays, and remember, Trump is still impeached.

[Docreed2003]

35. Merry Christmas Tom!

I have to work the holiday this year so I'm home with the dogs and the family is out of state at my in-laws, so I can somewhat empathize. Hope you have a lovely holiday season...enjoy my friend Jack

[DonCoquixote]

37. merry xmas

sounds like you thought of people, well, if they do not think of you, know that others do

[sandensea]

38. I'm sorry to hear that, Tom. Come what may, you've always got us to chat with.

I realize it's not like having close contact with family - but sometimes friends and friendly acquaintances can be much more enjoyable in the Holidays than family relations.

The Happiest of Holidays, my good sir!

[Ilsa]

39. Merry Christmas, TYJ!

Find someone to spend part of your day with, whether it means going to a Candlelight service or a bar for a coke or a food pantry, if you can handle being out a few hours.

We only get five or six cards any more.

[marble falls]

40. Where is that turducken located. I'll bring the wine if you're close to Marble Falls.

I'll do the dishes.

[Wawannabe]

41. Happy to "listen"

😉

[House of Roberts]

42. What is 'a litre of JD'?

John Deere?

[appalachiablue]

44. Jack Daniels, whiskey I think. It's that time of year.

[colorado_ufo]

43. Merry Christmas, Sweetie!

[CottonBear]

45. Have a very Happy Christmas TYJ!

⭐️ 🌲 ⭐️

[delisen]

46. Happy Holidays to you Tom!

...and here is to a new year of peace, love, and understanding.

[appalachiablue]

47. Happy Holidays to you in spite of others. If you're

up for it maybe connect with a friend or some folks, even for the New Year.

Generosity like yours is wonderful and your efforts are recognized in some good way.

All the best, never let the stuff get you down. (Not for long anyway!)





(In our family there's a small group that has become so selfish, strange and thoughtless; we give and they always take.)

[Sogo]

48. Been having a case of the "feel sorry" also,

and I've actually had invitations....

Sometimes it just comes over a person, I think especially at this time of the year when expectations are high. But also, the shorter days with less sunshine is a factor, in my experience. I rely on a full spectrum light bulb in my desk lamp and lots of Vitamin D3 at this time of year....

Will be sending good thoughts your way.....Enjoy the binge watching!

[Olafjoy]

50. Watch the Eddie Murphy SNL clip

“Home for the Holidays”. It will make you laugh and maybe appreciate not having everyone around. If you are in Arizona, you are 100% invited to my house. Very casual on Christmas. We hang around in comfy clothes and have nibbles and leftovers from Xmas eve dinner. No fuss, no muss, no stress.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

51. You do what you can.

I live alone, my one living son is in the DC area, I'm in Santa Fe. But I do have good friends here, and tomorrow I will go with them to a church service (I'm a non believer myself but grew up with the Christian tradition so I am always comfortable with it) and then have dinner at their house. Plus board games and card games after.

I could have gone to my sister's home. She lives near Kansas City, but I decided not to make the drive.

In a certain way I'm lucky in that in my young adult years I was an airline ticket agent at DCA (Washington National Airport) and usually worked holidays. I did have a brother nearby, but if I was working it wasn't very convenient to go to his place. But co-workers were always very sensitive to the need to work on the holidays, and many a time I worked all day on Thanksgiving or Christmas and then went over to someone's house or apartment and had a wonderful meal and good companionship.

This past year, on Thanksgiving, my plan with my friends was to go to a casino, but snow on that day made it a not very good idea. So we quickly cobbled together a perfectly acceptable alternative. One of the things I love about these friends is that they always have a Plan B. And probably a Plan C and an Plan D.

Honestly, in my opinion these things are vastly better than being with relatives whose political opinions you despise.

[DFW]

52. There are dozens of people posting to you right here. Not everyone has that!

You have sympathetic ears right here for all the sorry shit you wish to vent, and no need to Amazon a thing. Some of us are alone. Some aren't (my place looks and sounds like the UN General assembly at the moment--not sure if that constitutes an improvement). But we all have the time to pop in, say hi, and lend an ear. That has to be worth something, right?

[democrank]

53. Merry Christmas from Vermont

along with a hug

[iamateacher]

54. Another Merry Christmas From Pennsylvania

And a Happy New Year!

[UniteFightBack]

55. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of people who are having a truly 'worst' xmas scenario....

so you can think of that and realize hey my situation may be not so bad.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

56. plus 1

[CousinIT]

58. Merry Christmas Tom.

Being alone at Christmas sucks. And we have a "let 'em die we don't want or need 'em" attitude towards older folk in America. I hope they at least call to thank you for the gifts, cash and food. You do the best you can in your circumstance - I hope they let you know it's appreciated. It's all you can do. I have family who have to use portable oxygen too. It's not too bad but it does restrict travel and how long you can stay away.

I suggest comedy - Elf, or Tyler Perry's "A Madea Christmas" (hilarous, rent on Amazon for 99 cents). Laughter is great medicine!

Anyway, take care of yourself. Check in here on DU if needed. I hope you get some phone calls, if not a visit from someone.

[Maraya1969]

60. This is what I hate about these holidays. There are so much expectations!

You're supposed to be with family and/or friends. You're supposed to happy. You're supposed to eat, drink and spend more than you should.

I learned many years ago to treat Christmas as another day. The only way you will be miserable is if you think you are supposed to merry.

I wish you peace; a peace that needs no reason.

[spinbaby]

62. I know the feeling

I’m spending Christmas Eve alone because my kids found better things to do in sunnier climes. Tomorrow I’m going to go to dinner with my late husband’s family where we will not talk politics.