Hugs out to you ! I have five grown children and have had to go through the same thing from time to time. Just keep good thoughts and know they will feel your love when they wrap themselves in that wonderful quilt you are making.
I'm sure it will be beautiful and very comforting.

Here's a (((HUG))) for you. I feel your pain too. My DS, D-I-L, DGD & DGS moved far away from us too. We haven't had holidays together for 4 years now. It's a 2 1/2 day drive so we only get to see them every couple of years.

Have a good cry and get all those tears out. (I find it feels kind of therapeutic sometimes.) Then pour some more of that love into their quilt. They'll feel it every time they wrap it around themselves...like a (((HUG))) from you!

Hang in there.

I feel your pain...i only see my son and granddaughters once a year. It is always tough at the Holiday time. I am sending you a BIG HUG :!:

I totally understand. I live in the midwest and my Marine son and family were in Yuma AZ for 5 years and are now in South Carolina - too far to drive and expensive to fly - however, we did just return from a visit, but they will not be home for the holidays. The separation is hard on all of us. Just keep calling and check up on them on facebook :-)

When my husband had to work out of state for 6 months we went and got web cams, it's not the same as having them in the room but it sure was good to get to at least "see" him.

I have the same problem with my military children/grandchildren. It's worse at holidays because we're all partying and they've put themselves in harm's way for us. The song 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' was a heartbreaker when my son couldn't get home.

Is there anything we can do for you besides listen? Please let your family know we appreciate their sacrifice. We also appreciate yours.

I moved 2000 miles from my parents and siblings at 18 years old. I don't think the holidays ever got less blue for me, but as my children grew, it did get easier. I''m quiter blessed that all my children and grands live within 20 minutes of me, and I don't even have to share holidays with in-laws. I feel so sad for you, not being with your children.Hugs!

and for grandmas especially I sent my stepson a webcam and we logged on Christmas morning and kept the connection all day, so we actually got to watch the grandkids open their gifts.
And they got to visit with the family via the internet.

During an exceedingly bad ice storm winter my apartment neighbor and I found we could not go home for the holidays. After feeling bummed I said "let's make a "family party" here". We invited students and others we knew couldn't make it home either and we had a "family" of 18 people in our small apartments (laughter). We opened both apartment doors and cooked in one and ate in another. It helped all of us not miss our birth families so much. I always try to remember that there is someone else who is probably alone as well and try to find them. I, too, know how you feel and send you many hugs.

I totally understand and glad you posted. Here's a big hug from me HUG :)