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.