It has got to be better than Hi-Ho Hell

This is my first Christmas on my own. It brings mixed emotions of relief, sadness, and joy.

• Relief - I don't have to hold tears back because Handy Man tosses / throws gifts at  me, unwrapped, with a scowl on his face, because I was not worth the effort it took to purchase and wrap them.  Tonight I don't have to sit with  Handy Man's family (while he sits in front of the tv avoiding interacting with his family) listening to them insult each other and twisting my words in attempt to make me look bad. I don't have to worry that Handy Man will sulk or pout while we are at my parents' because I am not paying enough attention to him. I used to have a glass of wine or two just to calm my nerves before going to his family Christmas. I tried to ignore his pouting at my family Christmas. A touch, kiss, or hug was never enough to erase his scowl. It was so obvious and embarrassing.
• Sadness - Missing my boys madly. Enough said.
• Joy - I LOVE giving gifts. I love going to Christmas Eve service to celebrated the birth of Christ. This year is really special because my parents are joining me, my sister and her family at our church service.
• Still better than Hi-Ho Hell! If you have not read my post from last year, you won't get the title of this post. ;-)