This has been my first Happy Christmas that I can remember

[BrewDaddy]

Yes, the stress of EXTREME downsizing into a 5th wheel hasn't been easy and it ain't over yet... living in something 1/4 the size of the old place takes some adjusting... I have to turn sideways to make it through the 'hallway' back to the bathroom or the rear area of the rig....

But I sat here on Christmas Eve, just so incredibly thankful for how blessed I am to be in this situation. Right now sitting here listening to the rain pelt the rig, and I just love that sound... of course if the roof ever springs a leak I'll be singin' a different tune, but for now I'm a happy camper!

Back in college I always had an excuse not to go home for holidays in that with the 3 part time jobs I had, I always needed more money... life on the farm was extremely spartan, and being back there did not appeal to me at all... I moved out at the absolute very first opportunity for a reason....

After college, I fell backwards into law enforcement, and made it a point to work any holidays... partly because of the above, but also being single I could give the married cops a chance to take the holiday off and spend it with their families... Working Christmas etc was usually pretty easy time, treats abound all over the office, and for the most part folks are behaving themselves and we're told to cut folks a lot of slack... no one wants to write or get a ticket on Christmas so we pretty much left folks alone unless it was totally blatant or dangerous.... one time a guy started crying when I told him what the fine was for doing 87 in a 55, but since there wasn't really any traffic out I let him off with a 'Merry Christmas' and a lecture on safe driving...

But every year I always begged God to Please Please Please don't let this be the year I have to kill someone on Christmas... I just don't know if I could bear that... luckily, nothing really ever came up... I never had any fatal accidents, and usually the hottest call we'd get would be some family beef where you could squelch it by saying "It's Christmas for pete's sake.... do any of you want to spend Christmas in jail??".... that always seemed to put an end to things, and quickly...

But after my LE time was over, things started going south... I can't really put my finger on why, but I would get so melancholy this time of year and just dread the whole thing... I always wished I could just rent a cabin in the woods around the beginning of December, and not emerge until mid January and let the whole thing  just go right by me....

And when I was married for the short time that I was, Christmas was a conflict since my wife wanted to do This and That and The Other Thing and all make it happen on Christmas Eve, forgetting that somebody would have to be left behind to make it all happen... if we were going to the church service and expecting to eat dinner afterwards, unless we were ordering take out *somebody* had to do the cooking, and since that was my job in the household it fell to me... my wife couldn't grasp that she could have me at the service with her (and it was a great service and I enjoyed going), or we could have a nice meal that evening.... and of course her perception was that I didn't support her religious beliefs enough and an argument always ensued...

And Christmas has always been just a real down time for me.... until this time... Since I'm not settled in yet I ate a somewhat sketchy celebratory dinner of refried beans on a tortilla with some onions thrown on top... drank a few beers and sat here enjoying binge watching one of my fave yooztoobz channels... and listening to the rain on the roof just like I am now.... and loving every minute of it... I gave thanks to God from deep down in my heart, as I am truly grateful for having this opportunity to be here and live like this...

It feels like I am finally Home, and I think this next Christmas will be truly joyful....

Brew

[Ozarks Tom]

Thanks for sharing that, I'm glad you're arrived at your "Happy Place". And, thanks for joining us here, where your thoughts are appreciated by your new extended family.

[Jolly]

What works for one doesn't work for all.

Merry Christmas, Brew.

[DEKE]

Brew, that is a great example of why we should all pause and think when we're about to criticize others for not doing what we think of as the rational or normal approach. I know I'll often see someone living a certain way and say that it makes no sense. I guess I need a reminder every now and again that just because it is not right for me and mine, doesn't mean it is not right for others.


For me, a sense of security and belonging required a nice piece of land, plenty of space from my nearest neighbors, and animals all around to enjoy in a variety of ways. Even though I really enjoyed camper vacations when I was a kid, I think I would go nuts if that was my life. But different strokes for different folks. I'm glad you've found peace and happiness in a way that works for you.


Our local population doubles thru the winter. We're about an hour out of Orlando, close enough to enjoy the touristy stuff, but far enough away that snowbirds can take advantage of relatively low cost camping in the forests. There are lots of folks like you who have found happiness in a home on wheels.

[Deleted]

I too struggle with Christmas.
I’m so glad that you found your “happy place”. May you have many more Happy Christmases!

[Deleted]

Yeah, Christmas is a rough one for me, too.

I'm celebrating with you, BrewDaddy, and pleased to read that someone has found what works for him.

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

[joebill]

Often the greatest gift God endows upon us is simplicity, but we have to have our lives in a position to accept the blessing. Very glad it has all matched up for you in this blessed time, and hope it continues to bless you throughout the rest of your time here. Often, happiness is not cheap, and if you have it nailed down, please do not let go over unimportant things.....God bless.....Joe

[TxGal]

Welcome home. We too found that detaching ourselves from the "ideal" and expected holiday celebrations brought us to a place we could really enjoy them...in our own way, of course.

[themotherhen]

BrewDaddy, so glad that you are happy this year and have found what works for you. God bless!

[David!]

Glad you found your place. When I divorced I bought an old run down trailer with huge holes in the floor in a nice park for $1000 cash. That was the best sleep I had in a few years. Good luck and keep us posted!

[themotherhen]

I have noticed that in cases of divorce, with or without children, the man seems to suffer.

I wonder how just this is. In the case of my dh and I, I put any career aspirations on hold as I was raising our children. Though I worked as a nurse assistant when the children were small, it was hard to leave my (breast-fed) infant. DH was chasing different dreams at the time. My baby cried every time I left our home. DH could have made much more money than me because he had experience with graphic design. He was pursuing other interests so my money helped us.

My youngest is very attached to me now. I sometimes wonder if it would be different if I had been able to stay home with him. Are children that are denied the breast less confident? Less able to "stand their own ground?"