As "The Holidays" approach, most of us anticipate gatherings with family and friends,

[Atticus]

good food, gifts and ---most important---hugs. Most of us, but not all.

Some will spend Christmas Day alone and sad and spend New Year's Eve at home by themselves watching the "Ball Drop" in their sweats and maybe drinking too much to numb the pain of solitude.

If you believe you may know such a person, could you somehow "put an arm around" them in some way?

A visit? An inexpensive gift? A dozen Christmas cookies?

A HUG?

People who feel abandoned and inconsequential are the folks who spike the suicide numbers this time of year. The feeling that someone cares about them may persuade them to carry on.

Think about it, OK?

[Phoenix61]

1. Very thoughtful post. nt

[Deuxcents]

2. For me.. my mom passed 20 yeay ago today. I'm celebrating her

I had surgery on my right eye for cataracts n my left eye on Monday.. this is a sensitive time but I’m celebrating.. my mom lived a good long life n I’m getting a better quality of life. I’m thankful for her sacrifices n this is a great time for the gift of better sight. It’s not just Thanksgiving.. it’s all the time. Happy Holidays to all however you celebrate. Life is beautiful

[Genki Hikari]

3. I commend you for your kindness

Some people alone on a holiday are sad about it, and your thinking of them will make their day, or even their entire holiday season, much better.

But not all people who are alone are sad about it.

I've spent many a holiday alone, and was glad of it, for the peace and quiet. If someone had dropped in on me unexpectedly because they thought I was "sad" to be by myself on a holiday (or any other day), they may not get the welcome they expected. As in, I'd be polite, but obviously eager to have them go on their way as well. I'd understand where they're coming from, how they mean well, but I'd still be resisting the compulsion to say how rude I found it for someone to intrude on my space. I'd treat a phone call or text the same way.

If I answered the door or phone at all. I don't always do that if I'm enjoying my alone time.

Some people are fine being alone, holiday or not. It's called introversion, and too few extroverts bother to consider that being alone revives an introvert, rather than causing sadness or panic.

Sometimes, we even need that time alone, ESPECIALLY during the holiday season. Extroverts think "everybody" wants to socialize and celebrate the season with friends and family; however, the endless demands to socialize during such a time can be very hard on us introverts, because we feel compelled (or even bullied) into sacrificing our need for time alone to recharge our energy batteries. It can get old not having that need for peace and quiet respected, and always having to give in to the dominant extrovert perspective.

So it's fine to want to extend holiday cheer to those who are alone when they don't want to be. It's a wonderful gesture, and shows how kind you are. But make sure that you know who's sad about being alone, versus those who aren't. Because it's not kind to intrude on people who are alone because they enjoy it.