Carol, Your comments really resonated with me. Our family consists of my son and our Bichon Frise -- the biological family is not in the State where we live and has never been warm and welcoming anyway. My son has high-functioning autism (two Master's Degrees and writes and publishes regularly in the field of American history) but we have been ostracized by "the family" nonetheless -- not invited to my brother's daughter's wedding and stuff like that beause apparently as my brother said to me "he's not normal". I have discovered that there are other ways to live -- we have a wonderful "intentional" family we have created of friends. One of them recently knocked on the door with a freshly made turkey dinner (!), another showed up with a new warm winter coats and sweat pants for my son for holiday gifts. Still another sent a $100.00 gift card for a local market. I am really blown away by the kindness and generosity that we, as a single parent, special needs family, have experienced... We have discovered several older people who are alone and are visitng them and bringing simple gits - a chocolate bar from Trader Joe's or fresh-cut flowers. This year I wrote at least thirty holiday cards to people we love (NOT biological family members) telling each and everyone that we love and cherish them. Tomorrow on Christmas Day we will take our dog for a walk in a beautiful nearby park and take photos so we can regularly rejoice in the beauty of nature. I refuse to let the photos of family gatherings bother us. Family can mean many things and there are plenty of people out there who you can embrace and will embrace you. Blessings and light to you and your husband!