Usually I am so excited about the holidays....you know, Thanksgiving, Christmas.  I love them!  I set up our tree the week of Thanksgiving and I decorate the house and all and just get into the spirit of the season.  Of course my husband has accused me of actually putting up the tree on October 31st one year.    That is SO not true!  Hmmph!
Our tree happens to be, um...let's see, how old am I?  Oh yeah, it's 35 years old!!  My parents got in when I was 5 and yes it is still hanging in there at a full 7 feet tall and about that wide around the bottom. It leans a bit, but we love it. Our youngest son loves to help decorate the tree.  It's an ecclectic tree, not one of those show piece trees (notice the leaning part). 
Anyway, you're wondering, ok, look I know Christmas is just around the corner but hello??  It's still 2 months away so why is she talking about it now?!
I'm getting to it.  Just wanted to reminisce for a moment.  (note: I really am a decent speller, but that word is just hard to spell).
Ok, yes I do have a point, I'm getting there. Be patient!  
This year will be the first that our daughter will not be here for Thanksgiving or for Christmas.  She lives in Atlanta now,  about 5 hours away, and she is working both those days.  She might visit us the weekend before Christmas, but she would be leaving to go back home on Christmas eve afternoon.  Also, dh will be leaving on Christmas day to go back to Virginia since he works the following day. 
It will then just be me and the boys and Marcus doesn't consider Christmas day any different from most days, (except for some reason there's alot of extra goodies stashed around the house and how can I get them.) 
So yes my friends, I am a bit down right now.   I've always had my family with me during the holidays.  I know it won't be much fun for my husband having to travel back on Christmas either.  But by next Christmas he will be home for good.  So I do see blessings amidst my saddness.