What are your plans for for the holiday get togethers?

That must be very trying and tragic. What should be joyful seems like anything but.

Because of my disability, I don't enjoy group events of any kind. My wife and I are a long way from her family, too far for me to travel. I have no contact with any of my blood relatives.

Locally, I don't really have any friends, so I don't get invited to any gatherings.

When I attend events with my wife's friends, I feel very uncomfortable, and so do they (though they won't admit it).

Staying home isn't so bad.

@scottrl
Scott, you are so warm, humorous, and forthcoming on this site. Always with positive thoughts or advice. Your wife's friends may feel the same way I do; maybe they're a little awkward in their own skin, too.
My husband & I were always busy and social, but at this point, it is nicer just to stay home. I really prefer it.
Happy Holidays to all of us,
Trish

Too much hub-bub, and noise. . . Which is natural in these events. But, not enjoyable, at all, for my husband, and I feel that way, myself, but want to be with family, as there aren’t that many times to do so, during the year. He will go with me, a kind thing, but I don’t enjoy that much, knowing he isn’t. But, if I leave him at home, while I go for a couple of hours, I worry. And, he wouldn’t let me have anyone here with him, if I even wanted todo that .

It is definitely a challenge! We are taking them on a case by case basis. We are very selective about where we go and for how long. We are not hosting any large gatherings although that is something we once loved to do. We just agree that he can leave anytime he wants as he is often confused and overwhelmed by the multiple conversations and his ability to remember who he is talking to and how they are related to who is definitely slipping,
I’m just trying to focus having as much relaxation and joy in the season as possible and trying not to have any big expectations that might not pan out.

Greetings:
I know I won't be hosting large gatherings anymore because I no longer have my teammate/spouse to help. My husband enjoys gatherings, I think (maybe mostly the food these days as he's becoming gluttonous), but I noticed at the last event we attended at one of his sister's, he isolated himself and chose to go play guitar.
I am a bit nervous about our Christmas celebrations with family, however it is family so he'll be surrounded by loved ones and we'll see how it goes.
All the best, everyone! 🎄

@trishaanderson Thank you, Trisha.
Staying positive can be a challenge, but if I start spending my time sitting around thinking of what I can't do, and all the ways my life has been negatively impacted, I'll be miserable and make my wife miserable, too. She's been so wonderful to me for the past seven years that she deserves the best I can manage.

Besides, it helps me feel better to help others any way I can. I'm glad I found Connect, and I'm glad my YouTube channel about my recovery journey has had some success, too:
https://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos
One surprise has been my "celebrity" status this year. A local TV station has a weekly "Dad Joke" segment. Several of my jokes have been broadcast so far.
(The jokes are on my YouTube channel, too.)
You just never know what can happen when you stay positive.

@scottrl I've watched all your Dad Jokes that you've posted;-)

@trishaanderson You must be a glutton for pun-ishment!

Thanks for watching!