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It's 6.30 am and I 'm curled on the sofa with a cup of tea, in front of the fire, just musing about things in general. The kids next door are already awake and up, banging doors and arguing. Strangely enough I will miss this morning routine.
Three days until Christmas and everything is arranged for me to be alone this year. My sisters, friends, even cousins have tried to talk me into going to 'theirs' for the Christmas period but I have refused all offers. I know they think I am being morbid, although not one of them will come out and say it. Maybe I am, in a way, but I want to spend this final year alone with the house and my memories.
I always used to say that once I got rid of my husband and the dog that I would put a tree up at Christmas. I've always loved Christmas trees festooned with plenty of lights, tinsel and chocolates. In all the years I was married though I never had a tree. Between the grouch I'd married and the clumsiness of the dog it just didn't seem to be worth the effort. I was serious at that time but I've never actually got around to it. Fairy lights can be seen gleaming through part closed curtains in every house on the street except mine. I like it this way though, I'm used to it..
This will be the third Christmas since the car accident that killed them both. A tanker slipped on black ice and rammed into the passenger side of the car. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene. Everyone told me I was lucky to walk away but I didn't feel lucky at the time. Why is it that words that are meant to comfort someone in their grief often cause irritation instead? "If there is anything you need don't hesitate to call". I need my husband. Can you get him back for me? Need was too strong a word really. We had both been independent people, who often went our own way without regard for our partner, but I used to miss him terribly.
Friends who I meet up with regularly at the local are shocked that I wish to spend Christmas alone. That is another anomaly about Christmas. Why is it that people insist that I shouldn't be alone? It's my choice. I am going to be alone but I'll not be lonely. Do they offer me a seat at their table because I am on their doorstep? Do they spare a thought or offer company to those that are really alone at Christmas? It's not just strangers who suffer extreme loneliness at this time of year but distant relatives are often forgotten as well. This thought saddens me now, as it saddens me every year, but like millions of other people I spare a thought for the needy at Christmas time and do nothing about it. Maybe I will this year. Maybe I'll call the Salvation Army and offer to help them on Christmas day. Maybe I wont, as usual.
I've nearly finished my cup of tea, it's gone cold now anyway. It's time to stop musing and get ready for work. The house sounds hollow as I take the empty cup and walk into the kitchen. Most of my possessions have already been packed neatly away to make things easier for everyone. Curiously I still find dog hairs in unexpected places that catch me unawares and bring quick tears to my eyes but sadly there is nothing here to remind me of my husband. Still, I'm going to miss this house when I go and the many acquaintances I've made around here.
I'm going to spend this Christmas saying a sad farewell to my beautiful home. Memories will be boxed up or mentally filed away. In two weeks time I'll be in my new house, with my new love. He does like Christmas trees so, with any luck, I'll get to put one up next year anyway.
Three days until Christmas and everything is arranged for me to be alone this year. My sisters, friends, even cousins have tried to talk me into going to 'theirs' for the Christmas period but I have refused all offers. I know they think I am being morbid, although not one of them will come out and say it. Maybe I am, in a way, but I want to spend this final year alone with the house and my memories.
I always used to say that once I got rid of my husband and the dog that I would put a tree up at Christmas. I've always loved Christmas trees festooned with plenty of lights, tinsel and chocolates. In all the years I was married though I never had a tree. Between the grouch I'd married and the clumsiness of the dog it just didn't seem to be worth the effort. I was serious at that time but I've never actually got around to it. Fairy lights can be seen gleaming through part closed curtains in every house on the street except mine. I like it this way though, I'm used to it..
This will be the third Christmas since the car accident that killed them both. A tanker slipped on black ice and rammed into the passenger side of the car. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene. Everyone told me I was lucky to walk away but I didn't feel lucky at the time. Why is it that words that are meant to comfort someone in their grief often cause irritation instead? "If there is anything you need don't hesitate to call". I need my husband. Can you get him back for me? Need was too strong a word really. We had both been independent people, who often went our own way without regard for our partner, but I used to miss him terribly.
Friends who I meet up with regularly at the local are shocked that I wish to spend Christmas alone. That is another anomaly about Christmas. Why is it that people insist that I shouldn't be alone? It's my choice. I am going to be alone but I'll not be lonely. Do they offer me a seat at their table because I am on their doorstep? Do they spare a thought or offer company to those that are really alone at Christmas? It's not just strangers who suffer extreme loneliness at this time of year but distant relatives are often forgotten as well. This thought saddens me now, as it saddens me every year, but like millions of other people I spare a thought for the needy at Christmas time and do nothing about it. Maybe I will this year. Maybe I'll call the Salvation Army and offer to help them on Christmas day. Maybe I wont, as usual.
I've nearly finished my cup of tea, it's gone cold now anyway. It's time to stop musing and get ready for work. The house sounds hollow as I take the empty cup and walk into the kitchen. Most of my possessions have already been packed neatly away to make things easier for everyone. Curiously I still find dog hairs in unexpected places that catch me unawares and bring quick tears to my eyes but sadly there is nothing here to remind me of my husband. Still, I'm going to miss this house when I go and the many acquaintances I've made around here.
I'm going to spend this Christmas saying a sad farewell to my beautiful home. Memories will be boxed up or mentally filed away. In two weeks time I'll be in my new house, with my new love. He does like Christmas trees so, with any luck, I'll get to put one up next year anyway.
Very good.
:D
Oh, and thanks for the constructive criticism. It's noted.
Oh, and thanks for the constructive criticism. It's noted.
Well done, that was good.
Two criticisms though.
1) You haven't done anything since.
2) You dropped an apostrophe. (What? It IS constructive!)
Two criticisms though.
1) You haven't done anything since.
2) You dropped an apostrophe. (What? It IS constructive!)
That was a nice change of pace and a good seasonal story. Liked it.
Now, if I can find time to write the seasonal SSC entry for SSC16...
Now, if I can find time to write the seasonal SSC entry for SSC16...
David Essex!!?
It's okay. For some reason I keep singing It'll Be Lonely This Christmas (Mud?)
:D
It's okay. For some reason I keep singing It'll Be Lonely This Christmas (Mud?)
:D
David Essex. For some strange reason this reminds me of "A Winter's Tale" by David Essex. And before you think: "David Essex!!!" - my mum used to like him. She even dragged me along to one of his concerts once. A strange experience, let me tell you. Nice snapshot. I'd forgotten it was Christmas. (If only.)
That was a good story I liked it can you write another one please?
I wrote this when I arrived at work this morning. I was either feeling very melancholy or murderous :)
Very, very nice.
I have a strangely similar-ish SSC working in my head. This was wonderful. Very believable, not over exaggerated emotionally but enough to make the character appear lonely. The ending was also good.
I have a strangely similar-ish SSC working in my head. This was wonderful. Very believable, not over exaggerated emotionally but enough to make the character appear lonely. The ending was also good.
It's 6.30 am and I 'm curled on the sofa with a cup of tea, in front of the fire, just musing about things in general. The kids next door are already awake and up, banging doors and arguing. Strangely enough I will miss this morning routine.
Three days until Christmas and everything is arranged for me to be alone this year. My sisters, friends, even cousins have tried to talk me into going to 'theirs' for the Christmas period but I have refused all offers. I know they think I am being morbid, although not one of them will come out and say it. Maybe I am, in a way, but I want to spend this final year alone with the house and my memories.
I always used to say that once I got rid of my husband and the dog that I would put a tree up at Christmas. I've always loved Christmas trees festooned with plenty of lights, tinsel and chocolates. In all the years I was married though I never had a tree. Between the grouch I'd married and the clumsiness of the dog it just didn't seem to be worth the effort. I was serious at that time but I've never actually got around to it. Fairy lights can be seen gleaming through part closed curtains in every house on the street except mine. I like it this way though, I'm used to it..
This will be the third Christmas since the car accident that killed them both. A tanker slipped on black ice and rammed into the passenger side of the car. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene. Everyone told me I was lucky to walk away but I didn't feel lucky at the time. Why is it that words that are meant to comfort someone in their grief often cause irritation instead? "If there is anything you need don't hesitate to call". I need my husband. Can you get him back for me? Need was too strong a word really. We had both been independent people, who often went our own way without regard for our partner, but I used to miss him terribly.
Friends who I meet up with regularly at the local are shocked that I wish to spend Christmas alone. That is another anomaly about Christmas. Why is it that people insist that I shouldn't be alone? It's my choice. I am going to be alone but I'll not be lonely. Do they offer me a seat at their table because I am on their doorstep? Do they spare a thought or offer company to those that are really alone at Christmas? It's not just strangers who suffer extreme loneliness at this time of year but distant relatives are often forgotten as well. This thought saddens me now, as it saddens me every year, but like millions of other people I spare a thought for the needy at Christmas time and do nothing about it. Maybe I will this year. Maybe I'll call the Salvation Army and offer to help them on Christmas day. Maybe I wont, as usual.
I've nearly finished my cup of tea, it's gone cold now anyway. It's time to stop musing and get ready for work. The house sounds hollow as I take the empty cup and walk into the kitchen. Most of my possessions have already been packed neatly away to make things easier for everyone. Curiously I still find dog hairs in unexpected places that catch me unawares and bring quick tears to my eyes but sadly there is nothing here to remind me of my husband. Still, I'm going to miss this house when I go and the many acquaintances I've made around here.
I'm going to spend this Christmas saying a sad farewell to my beautiful home. Memories will be boxed up or mentally filed away. In two weeks time I'll be in my new house, with my new love. He does like Christmas trees so, with any luck, I'll get to put one up next year anyway.
Three days until Christmas and everything is arranged for me to be alone this year. My sisters, friends, even cousins have tried to talk me into going to 'theirs' for the Christmas period but I have refused all offers. I know they think I am being morbid, although not one of them will come out and say it. Maybe I am, in a way, but I want to spend this final year alone with the house and my memories.
I always used to say that once I got rid of my husband and the dog that I would put a tree up at Christmas. I've always loved Christmas trees festooned with plenty of lights, tinsel and chocolates. In all the years I was married though I never had a tree. Between the grouch I'd married and the clumsiness of the dog it just didn't seem to be worth the effort. I was serious at that time but I've never actually got around to it. Fairy lights can be seen gleaming through part closed curtains in every house on the street except mine. I like it this way though, I'm used to it..
This will be the third Christmas since the car accident that killed them both. A tanker slipped on black ice and rammed into the passenger side of the car. Both of them were pronounced dead at the scene. Everyone told me I was lucky to walk away but I didn't feel lucky at the time. Why is it that words that are meant to comfort someone in their grief often cause irritation instead? "If there is anything you need don't hesitate to call". I need my husband. Can you get him back for me? Need was too strong a word really. We had both been independent people, who often went our own way without regard for our partner, but I used to miss him terribly.
Friends who I meet up with regularly at the local are shocked that I wish to spend Christmas alone. That is another anomaly about Christmas. Why is it that people insist that I shouldn't be alone? It's my choice. I am going to be alone but I'll not be lonely. Do they offer me a seat at their table because I am on their doorstep? Do they spare a thought or offer company to those that are really alone at Christmas? It's not just strangers who suffer extreme loneliness at this time of year but distant relatives are often forgotten as well. This thought saddens me now, as it saddens me every year, but like millions of other people I spare a thought for the needy at Christmas time and do nothing about it. Maybe I will this year. Maybe I'll call the Salvation Army and offer to help them on Christmas day. Maybe I wont, as usual.
I've nearly finished my cup of tea, it's gone cold now anyway. It's time to stop musing and get ready for work. The house sounds hollow as I take the empty cup and walk into the kitchen. Most of my possessions have already been packed neatly away to make things easier for everyone. Curiously I still find dog hairs in unexpected places that catch me unawares and bring quick tears to my eyes but sadly there is nothing here to remind me of my husband. Still, I'm going to miss this house when I go and the many acquaintances I've made around here.
I'm going to spend this Christmas saying a sad farewell to my beautiful home. Memories will be boxed up or mentally filed away. In two weeks time I'll be in my new house, with my new love. He does like Christmas trees so, with any luck, I'll get to put one up next year anyway.