I have that melancholy feeling I often get at this time of the year. Holiday blues, I guess. The holidays always remind me of the family I don’t have. At this point in my life, I’ve stopped longing for the kind of close-knit family some of my friends take for granted. There comes a time when you have to let go and accept that some things will never be what you’d like them to be. Still, it’s hard to remind myself of that when this time of year seems to be all about family.
It has started to snow-- probably the last snowfall of the year (and lousy timing, at that)-- and I’m alone and tired and feeling chilled to the bone. It’s a combination that makes for sad thoughts.
One more reason for me to look forward to January-- eleven months to convince myself that family is overrated before another holiday season comes along to remind me otherwise.
at 11:30 PM 
I’ve found family in places I least expected. Without even looking.
As for the melancholy, I hope it passes quickly and some of the spirit of the season invades.
Comment by Suzanne on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 I don’t necessarily agree with you that families are overrated. Though it’s true that we’re not all be blessed with close-knit families, I think there’s a lot of misconception that families must be blood related. I think family can be whatever you want it to be. What about your friends that are always there for you, through thick and thin, to lend a shoulder to cry on, to make you laugh even on your darkest days? They make great families! Spend some time with the friends you truly love, they make better families than the ones we’re born into!
Comment by Lorie on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 I’d much rather define the term “family.” From what I’ve witnessed, traditional families aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. I think we need to mold our own idea of family- in terms of people who love unconditionally and care for us relentlessly. My “traditional family” often falls short of that kind of love and care. My real family, the people I choose to keep close to my heart, never seem to let me down. I’m not sure if I could ask for anything more. I’m very blessed and very lucky.
Comment by Jae on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 There are all sorts of familys, and your family is what you make it. There are people that I am related to that I don’t consider “ family” but there are others, yourself included, that are NO relation to me what-so-ever but I consider them my True “ family” Merry Christmas Kris and may you find your true family 
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