The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

I Resolve Not To Be Lonely After The Holidays

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher

2 January 2002

For parents who are no longer raising adolescents or have most of their children grown, or out of the house, the blues can often hit them after the busy holidays.

Most of us just miss our children, and having some fun, laughter, and good discussions around the house.

I know the blues hit me pretty quickly after the grandchildren left with their new games and my children and their spouses returned home.

Even though there are more dirty towels, more dirty dishes, and the house is helter- skelter most of the time, there is a lump in my throat when that last family pulls out of the drive and heads to their home.

As I began picking up, and putting everything in order, I recalled something a friend told me long ago when I brought my two preschoolers into her front room. She had gotten a box of toys out and my children had spread them all over the floor.

As I was leaving, I apologized to her for the mess my children had made, and for the little finger prints that were put on her nice clean storm door.

She turned to me and said, "It's nice to have someone to clean up after. I miss that."

Of course, that was another time in my life where I shook my head and wondered how she could ever miss cleaning up kids' messes.

Now I know just what she had meant. A clean house is nice, but having someone in the house to share in making cookies, reading books, playing games is a lot better.

January can really leave you with the winter blues when the family is gone and the holiday fun is over.

But, this year, I resolve not to be lonely. 9-11 has made me feel a lot more thankful for my blessings. Here are my few resolutions: