Room for Christmas Joy

[Call Me Cordelia]

On the other side of being NC for five years, there's a lot more room in our lives that was previously taken up with PD family. And it's being filled with good.

This Christmas we will have a full house. Our two parish priests and two other families from church with difficult family situations will all be here for Christmas dinner. I'm so grateful for their company and that we have this opportunity to be generous. I would never have invited anyone else to a major holiday meal if any of our PD family were there. It would have been too embarrassing. And even though this is going to be a huge group, and I'm not super close to any of them truthfully, I feel much more at peace about this gathering than any family gathering ever. Everyone is already asking how they can help, thanking us for hosting, and has expressing how much they are looking forward to it. Amazing. I'm not worried (too much) about what to serve and what they will think of our house, our decorations, or anything. It's going to be a mutual undertaking. The children have written a play to perform, and two of our guests are great pianists for caroling. So this is already awesome.

And then we will have plenty of time after the big day to relax with just DH and kids. :-)

[Blueberry Pancakes]

Your holiday plans sound great. Spending time with those whose company we enjoy is what makes the magic. I agree In the absence of PDs or people who tend to prioritize their agenda over all else there is room for joy. Sometimes, it even feels physically different to me, like an actual door has opened or a barrier was removed. There is just more open space somehow.

[Jolie40]

that is wonderful!
you'll have a Merry Christmas

at a group meeting last night, the leader said she opened her house at Thanksgiving for several years to people who had no where to go & I said "wonderful" , also

[Zia]

On the other side of being NC for five years, there's a lot more room in our lives that was previously taken up with PD family. And it's being filled with good.

This Christmas we will have a full house. Our two parish priests and two other families from church with difficult family situations will all be here for Christmas dinner. I'm so grateful for their company and that we have this opportunity to be generous. I would never have invited anyone else to a major holiday meal if any of our PD family were there. It would have been too embarrassing. And even though this is going to be a huge group, and I'm not super close to any of them truthfully, I feel much more at peace about this gathering than any family gathering ever. Everyone is already asking how they can help, thanking us for hosting, and has expressing how much they are looking forward to it. Amazing. I'm not worried (too much) about what to serve and what they will think of our house, our decorations, or anything. It's going to be a mutual undertaking. The children have written a play to perform, and two of our guests are great pianists for caroling. So this is already awesome.

And then we will have plenty of time after the big day to relax with just DH and kids. :-)

This is very nice to hear. I have been in-counsel with our parish priest regarding our issue with my toxic FOO. I wish I can find a community support group who has the same type of issue.

[NarcKiddo]

That sounds like a lot of fun. Hard work, but totally worth it, I'm sure. Good for you.