It’s a little after eleven in the morning on Christmas day. I’m sitting here, in an empty house, drinking coffee. Listening to a holiday music mix that I made on Spotify. It’s a bit of peace and relative quiet that I have been craving all holiday season. I can honestly say that I’m enjoying this rare sliver of relaxation.
And yet, deep down, there’s a pang of pain in my heart. The sadness of being alone. At Christmas.
You see, while I have plenty of friends, coworkers, and family, there is no true replacement for having a special someone during the holidays. Honestly, there’s no true replacement for having a special someone any time during the year — but I feel the agony most during this time of year. The time of year when people take most for granted their families. The fret and stress for finding the perfect gift for their significant others and/or children. They even get bitter when they have to go through all of this supposed trouble. Yet, here I am, wishing I had someone special who wanted to spend the holidays with me. Instead of sitting in an empty house, drinking coffee, and listening to bittersweet melodies of Christmas past.
I didn’t set up a tree this year. Not a single stocking was hung. There isn’t a wreath on my door. The gifts that I have received are still wrapped. To be honest, I’m not looking forward to opening them. Not because I don’t appreciate them. I truly do. But, doing it alone, with no one to share the joy with. Well, it feels as empty as the house I’m sitting in.
