“Are you lonesome tonight? Do you miss me tonight?”

The words to that old Elvis song always tug at my heartstrings. I picture my grandmother mending socks, humming along to this song playing on her kitchen radio. She became a widow quite young. She wasn’t even 60 yet. She lived alone until the day she died (excluding her final years in a care home).

One of the hardest adjustments during divorce, is finding yourself alone. Alone. Just that simple word conjures up all kinds of not so nice feelings. When you’re alone, is it because no one wants you?

Drew Coffman

Just my musings on my 54th Christmas and how it works as a divorced mother of three. With three adult children (one step), our family continues to grow as our children marry and bring more life into our blended family.

If you’re home alone for the holidays, no need to despair. There are several inspirational lessons we can learn from young Kevin in the iconic Christmas classic movie—“Home Alone”.

I must apologize (or must I?) for two movie inspired blog posts in a row. First, The War of The Roses and now, “Home Alone”. It’s not that I’m out of ideas, it’s simply that I often come up with a blog idea while watching a favorite television show or movie. Here we have it;

After divorce we feel defeated in love.  We might stop believing in it altogether.

We may be spending what little energy we have left after the battle, providing and being there for our children.  We’ve stopped believing in fairy tales but the time will come eventually when we look forward to new relationship(s).

Maybe we’re even looking for that perfect fit we call love. You know what I mean…that someone out there who holds the key to our heart, if only we knew where to find them!

image source; unsplash.com by Josh Applegate

Religion is a powerful force that aims to project a system of beliefs, to instill faith and community. Often, in any religion you will find traditions and events to mark a ‘coming of age’ or a celebration of accomplishment in that faith. Similarly, wedding ceremonies are conducted in our faith of choice and become one of those celebrations.

“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Feeling pissed about Cupid this year?  It’s difficult after separation to feel inspired about a day dedicated to love when you feel your heart is broken.  But in order to mend your heart, you have to start loving yourself.

10 Tips to improve your Christmas post divorce, is something I think will help anyone coping with co-parenting issues over the holidays. One of the most difficult times of the year for divorced and broken families is undoubtedly the Christmas Season.  Especially the first couple of years when it is a time for re-building and transitioning the new family unit.  What makes this even harder is having  to let go of old traditions.  Also, Christmas memories from before the divorce are still raw.  Due to these changes in family dynamics, the holidays become a challenge and a tug of war between households.  Neither Mom nor Dad want to be alone during this time and the children inevitably get caught in the middle.

Why feel lost when we’re all here, your on-line supporters and friends? Lisa’s divorce support round-up promises to offer something for every kind of divorce; high conflict, co-Parenting with a jerk, looking for love, having trouble dealing with your off the charts, emotions? I could go on and on because the issues we face during divorce are infinite in their variety.

#1000VoicesSpeak for Compassion today and on the 20th of every month. The subject this month? CONNECTION. We don’t always feel it. My first thought on this topic was how often I have felt disconnected but my constant connection has been nature. If you ever feel alone or lonely…

It’s hard being a divorcee. We’re a ONE in a world of twos. It’s downright lonely. Eventually, we want to get our toes in the water and begin dating again. We go onto dating sites with hopes of love. It’s only natural. Next thing you know, we’re in a relationship again. It’s wonderful. It’s exciting and we feel like a teenager again. We’re getting a second chance!