My opinion on the Holidays was not always what it is now. I remember the days as a young man, and being deployed on a submarine about this time. Then: Christmas meant breakfast with a shipmate. Sometimes it meant home leave and yes, I looked forward to that.
Now: different story. It is a break from work; that much is true.
And for some: some love the gathering of family. That is great! Some like to gather with friends: that is great too.
Some mourn the loss of loved ones who are no longer there. That is understandable and an unfortunate part of getting older.
Some get awful news: on Threads I read about people getting terribly sick (e. g. cancer), losing a job, etc.
For some: family gatherings involve exclusion, either by choice or by being shunned. That is hard.
None of the bad stuff really applies to me, though my wife broke her foot..again. That means: more caretaking, and yes, she still invited her “special needs” nephew over. I’ll cope.
But that is what I am talking about: I kind of wanted the holidays to be a respite from duties. Instead: it is a shift of duties.
It is often said that the best giving is the kind where one will never be paid back, and I am doing that now. But, I’d rather be in a position to help out than to need help.
Looking back, I actually enjoyed the COVID holiday: just my wife and me. However she missed the family gathering.
Life of an old goat 