What to do when you find yourself alone again for the Holidays and it's due to your friends and family dying off or moving to Nursing Homes? Or, your close friend has had to move in with a family member far away to be taken care of. This is a scenario many seniors find themselves in and are reminded of over and over at painful times of the year - Holidays.



Holidays are a time to share love, and many people end up feeling depressed when they do not have people around with whom to share love. If you find your loved one in this situation, what can you do to make their holidays joyous rather than depressing?

One way to remedy the situation is giving of yourself. This concept/idea is up to family and friends to remind and guide their elderly loved ones to add to their lives. Simply by picking up the phone once a week to call a friend or relative, delivering the neighbor's mail, or sending a card in the mail can do wonders to brighten up the daily routine of an elderly person. The feedback seems to be an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction where seniors forget their own troubles and daily pains!

Edna had been married for 55 years and this next Thanksgiving was to be her first without Frank. Edna was thankful her family would be around, but still it was going to be quite an emotional time for her. With the encouragement of her local Senior Center, Edna made some 'cheer up' calls during he Holiday season. To her relief, reaching out with those extra gestures seemed to smooth away much of her pain.

Frank was in a similar situation to Sharon. At 77, he was single, had been an only child, and had no close relatives. His business had not given him much opportunity to make friends. Frank had spent many lonely holidays feeling isolated and depressed, and decided a few years ago to do something about it.

Frank loved animals. As a child, his dog had been his best friend. After looking around, Frank learned that there was a wonderful animal shelter within a half-hour of his home. Frank started to volunteer one day a week on the weekends - feeding, playing with puppies and kittens, helping to interview people who wanted to adopt a pet, and getting to know the other volunteers. He found that he really connected with the people who volunteered there. Many of them were loving people who were deeply devoted to caring for animals.

As his friendships developed, he found he had a new sense of family centered around the shelter. Thanksgiving and Christmas were now sometimes spent with the other volunteers who did not have families, and sometimes with the families of some of the volunteers. Frank's life had become full and fulfilling. The last we heard, Frank was dating a younger woman (age 72!) who also volunteered at the animal shelter!

No matter what your life situation is, you can always share your love with others. Instead of feeling alone and lonely this holiday season, open your heart to GIVING. There are many people, young and old out there who would welcome your love.