Copyright Sandra Crook
Jim stares blankly at the woman on his sofa.
“So, we’re providing a turkey dinner at the village hall, party games, carol-singing, a glass of sherry and a free Christmas gift. How does that sound?”
Jim ponders, stroking his bristly chin.
“Like hell on earth,” he says.
“But you said you were lonely?”
Jim is lonely… for his wife, and for comrades long dead…
For his children on the other side of the world… and for his cat, who’s gone missing again.
But his loneliness isn’t a pit to be filled with strangers.
How can he make her see that?
In recent days there have been some heart-warming tales of human kindness towards those alone at Christmas. Some, however, are never so lonely as they are in a crowd. However you may choose to spend the festive period, I wish you every happiness. And thanks to our very own Christmas fairy, Rochelle, who has graced the Friday Fictioneers Christmas tree for several years now. Sorry for the re-tread, time and all that… 😦
castelsarrasin 
A point well-made, Sandra
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Many thanks, Neil.
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Dear Sandra,
No need to apologize for the retread. This is beautiful and deserves a reread. (Mine’s also a rerun).
Shalom and a Merry Christmas,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle. Belatedly, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas.
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Well said, Sandra!
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Thanks Sue. 🙂
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😊😊
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Ah, dealing with the well-meaning gestures of people… sometimes it’s just too too much! Great story.
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It can be over-facing, I guess. Thanks for reading.
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You always get right to the heart of the human condition, and show how it hurts.
Ouch.
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Thanks CE. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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I guess it’s the effort that counts. And how long do people remain strangers, really? Great storytelling. Powerful.
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It would take a monumental effort to get me down that Village Hall, I can tell you. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
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No apologies necessary for resharing this wonderful story – a story that is too true for so many. Beautifully done.
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Thanks for reading Dale. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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I did, thank you. Hope you did as well.
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Well said, Sandra! I know people who are alone (and some who are very lonely) in the holiday, and who don’t want a crowd around them to mask the feelings they are feelings. Loss and grief are often heightened during such times. Reaching out is good. Respecting one’s need for boundaries, however they need them, is crucial.
May we never be so heartbroken that we cannot let in others.
Na’ama
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“May we never be so heartbroken that we cannot let in others.” What a beautiful prayer, Na’ama.
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Thank you, Penny! May we know more joy than sorrow. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Na’ama
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Amen! And Happy Holidays to you and yours, too! xx
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Good point, Na’ama. Echoed.
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🙂
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Powerful, well-said, and well-worth the retread, especially for those of us who haven’t read it before.
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Many thanks! 🙂
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Excellent, Sandra, and oh so true.
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Thanks for reading. 🙂
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You are welcome 🙂
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May we get to spend our time doing what we like and surrounded by people we love.
Christmas wishes!
The Monument – Anita
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Let’s hope so. Thanks for reading.
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A pit to be filled with strangers, no, but they might take the edgeoff it for a while.
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Never worked for me. But we’re all different. Thanks for reading, Liz.
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Great story, one I’ve not read before so yeah for re-treads. Sometimes strangers are all we have until they become more. Still, they don’t fill the immediate void.
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Very true, Alicia. It’s good to see you back on the squares.
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I agree with all. Those who think company is the only cure can be painful indeed. Good job.
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Indeed. Thanks for reading, Eugenia.
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i think she has a point. one way to get rid of jim’s loneliness is to share himself to others in need.
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Good angle. Thanks for reading.
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Great piece. Though whenever I feel the same way and am also feeling very antisocial, something like that can really help (if someone manages to drag me there!).
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Thanks for reading. Hope you had a lovely Christmas.
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As so often, your story makes me think, and reminds me of the pain of others. Thank you!
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Thanks for reading, Penny. Glad you enjoyed it.
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It wasn’t a retread for me, Sandra, and I enjoyed it very much. There is important truth here. My mom continued to enjoy the holidays after Dad died, but it was never the same.
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It’s difficult isn’t it. As you get older, Christmas is filled with more and more ghosts.
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So true. And what’s really shocking is that I’m two years older than my dad was when he died’ Terry is the same age as his mom was, and within a few months of when his dad died. And still we don’t do a very good job of seizing the day!
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