My son and daughter in law have been stationed (Coast Guard)in CA for the past three years. I have only seen him 4 times and and last time was 15 months ago. I am usually fine...we talk all the time, but this morning having a crying morning...must be the holidays. hmmm...maybe its the quilt I am making them...emotions...ugh...

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Hi there. I am sorry you are haveing a tough time this morning. 15 months is a very long time and your are probably right about the holidays. Its tough not seeing family around the holidays. So have a good cry and then get back to quilting.

I totally understand. I have a brother in Nebraska, and haven't seen him for years.

I am sorry you are missing them. I know what you mean. My mom and sister (and her family) all live 3,000 miles away. I haven't got out there since Jan of 2009.

Sometimes calls and emails just don't cut it.

(((((hugs))))

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} I understand what you're feeling. When I first moved away from my family when I was 21 it was very difficult not spending the all holidays with them. It does get easier. Just keep in contact - decorate as normal, bake as normal (if necessary - ship baked goods out :D ) it'll be greatly appreciated!!! I'm sure! :D

I feel your pain ! All of my family live too far away to come for the Holidays . They are so busy, so I have decided to have Christmas when everyone has more time in January or February. Christmas is in your heart and doesn't have to be on a certain day.

I know what you are feeling. I have a brother in CA. that I haven't seen in 6yrs. and a neice and nephew I have never seen except in pic's.

Sounds like you need one of these....((hug))

((((((hugs))))))

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 :)

Sending you hugs. My kids are just growing up and it is starting to dawn on me I might not see some for long times on end because it looks like they will scatter every where even out of country.

My grown married children only live about 3 hours away. But they always go their own ways during the holidays. We try to go for a visit during the holidays, but it is not the same as having them come home. We have to "share" but it is not always easy. Hugs to you. I know how you feel.

I understand. All our family (kids, brothers and sisters) are scattered allover the country. The Holidays are just another day. I get really depressed at this time. Quilting takes my mind off of all that.

I know how you feel, my son lives in CA, daughter in OH, sister in NY and mother in PA. I haven't seen any of them in about 15 months also. Its the world we are living in now, so transiant, wish we were back in the good old days when you were born, lived and died in the same town. It does get lonely.

Awe Carolaug that is so sad. Sending hugs your way. I can't imagine. I have 5 kids and they are 12 and under....one day my house will be too quiet, but for now I can loan you one! LOL! HA! :0)

Hugs! ;-)

Hugs... I just put my daughter in her car to drive home to PA after a week here...she cried that she didn't want to leave...makes your heart hurt...

Warm thoughts and hugs are sent to you from me. It's natural to feel as you do and I think it's quite ok to feel a little weepy from time to time. Have a good cry, blow your nose and then get busy again with the quilt you are making. I'm glad you shared your feelings with us.

Thank-you for all the Hugs and stories....so many are in the same boat...How did they do it in the 1800 when there family and friends sailed across the seas and never saw each other again....so glad we have the internet, phones and planes.

sending you huge (((((((HUGS)))))))) I know how you feel. My husband moved to the USA for me and this year will be the first time that he's seen his brother in over 5 years. He still hasn't seen his mom. Most of my family is in Italy and I haven't seen them in over a decade.

Get Skype - it's great and free to talk and you can webcam at the same time. That's how we've managed to survive so long. My husband's mother has actually never seen in person her granddaughter, and this year for Christmas will be his brothers first time ever seeing his niece.

I can understand what you're going through. My daughter has been in California (Navy) for over a year now and I'm in TN. It has been really hard. Her ship is deploying in two weeks and she'll be out at sea for 6 months or more (and I can't be there to see her off and probably will not be able to even talk with her on Christmas). I know sometimes this sadness just comes on us suddenly and we don't know why. You're in my prayers. I know it's hard buy maybe we can muddle through together. {{{{HUGS}}}}

I know the feeling, Carol. The last two days have been kind of weepy around here.

One of my gr-gr-gr-gr-grans received one letter during the Civil War. One. And, she was lucky. My gran would get telephone appointments by telegram during WWII. I read about WWII POW families receiving a notice "he's alive" and several months later "he died six months ago." Ouch.

Comparatively, we are extremely lucky but I think there's a bit of acclimation going on. You ever notice how many Californians say they're "freezing" when it's 60 degrees out? Even if they grew up in Michigan, they've acclimated to the Cali climate.

That's us. Still feeling the misery and the worry and the separation despite video chats, cell phones, emails, letters, packages and what have you. Just the fear of missing a phone call can be overwhelming. Chin up. You're in good, and proud, company.

I know how you feel my sons are both in the Navy and not able to come home for the holiday's I try to keep my chin up for DH's sake but I miss my boy's. Keep the faith

just want to say i can really empathise[sp]w/you.5 of my 6 kids live at least 1000 miles away,& the one thatlives 10 miles from me i only see a couple of times a year since my dh died in '01.i he come to dread the holidays,but have a wonderful niece& bf that really help me thru,hang in there,it DOES get better a little at a time
dar