On my own for Easter

No you are not a wimp Dragonfly what you are feeling is sadness and completely normal.I think there are times when we are allowed to feel sorry for ourselves and this is one of them for you.

Meant to add

These times of year hold a special significance when loved ones are lost. It's natural to feel sad and miss them. I hope you'll find some peace this weekend

Well said ann.

Dragonfly, can you spoil yourself while your family are away? Nice, easy to cook food, a good book or film, some special treat or Easter egg? Definitely keep coming back to GN as there will always be someone here to keep you company! [flowers[

I am also spending Easter alone (widowed just over 2 years ago and have no children). It is hard when families and couples are celebrating or just enjoying a holiday, I wish I could say it gets easier but for me it doesn't. I try to keep busy - with the lovely weather we are having at the moment I have been out for long walks, but if the weather is bad I will do one of those jobs that I keep putting off! Of course there is always GN - there is usually someone on here to "talk" to.

Someone told me that grieving is not a process, its a cycle - so it comes round again, for you this year you are also missing your children - so be kind to yourself, if you feel like having a little weep then go ahead (I know I do), then start remembering the good times.

On a practical note, try not to worry about your children travelling - flying is one of the safest ways to travel these days and they will be back before you know it full of stories about the holiday and eager to show you the photos.

to you both and anybody else who is alone or sad this weekend. Why do these occasions cause us so much grief? Is it memories of happier days or some pre-programmed expectation that somehow thistime it will be different? One solution might be to be pro-active, plan a visit (albeit alone) to somewhere nice or treat yourself to a posh lunch or afternoon tea somewhere that does not specialise in catering for families. I suspect I am whistling in the dark however as it will only be better when it is over but instead of suffering in silence flag up these feelings with your family and friends in time for next year and a Plan B. Who am I to talk? I spent much of yesterday fighting back tears because due to misunderstanding D'Ds plans we will not see the DGSs , having agreed to spend the day with DD2 +BF and do. You can't please everybody and usually Mum ends up least pleased of all. As I said xx

I'll be alone this weekend - and most weekends. I was with the family last weekend and could have stayed on, had I not had commitments back home during the week. As I am non-religious, that aspect of the holiday has no special significance for me and I'm glad that the hard-working younger generation will have a well-deserved break. Luckily I like my own company and that of my fellow g'net members.

Sending kind thoughts to those of you alone for Easter - these celebrations can be a trigger for sad thoughts. Treat yourself to a cream tea somewhere, and look forward to hearing all the wonderful stories of the holiday when they return. Thinking of you.

Thinking of all who are on their own.

I don't like Bank Holidays, partly due to how OH is they are never much fun though.
Again the image or myth of good family get togethers makes those who are having anything less than a wonderful time feel far more miserable.

DD works shifts and really needs whatever quality time she can get with her OH and her son, there is little enough with their joint working hours being what they are.
If only she had gone into teaching instead of nursing.

nelliemoser and a fair bit of . Often I am glad when it is over and our expectations can revert to normal. Christmas, New Year likewise. Even many weekends!!

I'm on my own, but our archery club are organising a 'fun' shoot which involves shooting bunnies and eggs for rewards or forfeits,
I'm in two minds whether to go or not.

Reading this has made me feel guilty as we quite often think that it would be nice if we had some time without family around. I remind DH that investing time now while they are all young should pay dividends when they are older but DGC are very tiring.

Typical Bank Holiday for me; son and daughter are spending it with their in laws and I'm feeding the cat and the goldfish. I know my place.

Oh go on Galen. Take it all out on a rabbit!

With my (lack of) skill, I'll probably get a passing sheep in the next field instead!

Thanks for all the and thoughts. I've spent the morning doing 91 year old Dad's shopping - wrongly, apparently, - and sorting out DDs cats, as I will be every day till they're back. And oh joy, neither DD nor SIL had thought to put litter in their litter tray before they left so guess who's now got to go and scrub the garage floor...? I'm sure I'll be ok once I know DD and family have landed safely this evening. And Gransnetters - you're the best. X

Aren't we just! (Smug)

I am on my own this weekend. I have no family so most weekends are like this one, except this one is longer. I just do what I fancy and today I have several appointments with my washing machine. I do not give a thought to it being Easter as I am not religious.

You're not included Galen if you're going to be shooting little bunny rabbits

Do you think people in families pull up the drawbridge at holiday periods and don't think to do things with single friends, or think to include them?

I shall likely be on my own tomorrow as well. DH and DS will both be at work and DD3 will probably be off with her pals, but I don't really mind. Will be thinking of my sister who has to go for a brain scan tomorrow. She is having some unpleasant side effects from her chemo and has been feeling rough this week.

for all who are going to be alone tomorrow. Will be thinking of you all and hope the day will pass better than you imagine.

JessM I think you've got a point. I have friends who I know would say 'You should've said, you could have come to lunch/dinner/whatever.' They all know I'm on my own, but they're so busy with their own families I think they forget. DD just rang from the airport, had a chat with GS1 (5), who kept saying 'I wish you were coming nanny'. So do I, little man, but someone has to stay here to look after the (very) elderlies and your cats!

Bellasnana, your sister is often in my thoughts. Keep us up to date with news, won't you?