As my son and I sit down for dinner on Christmas Day, I can't help but feel a sense of emptiness. It's just the two of us, and while I am grateful for his company, I can't help but think about how nice it would be to have others around to share in the festivities. It's times like these that I miss my family and friends back home the most.

But, as difficult as these moments can be, I try my best to make the most of the situation. I remind myself that my son and I are lucky to have each other and that we can still create new traditions and memories together. We might not have a big extended family to celebrate with, but we can still make the most of our time together.

We take long walks in the park, bake cookies, watch holiday movies, and even create our own little holiday decorations to put up around the house. It may not be the most elaborate celebration, but it's ours, and we make it special in our own way.

Of course, there are moments when the loneliness can feel overwhelming, but I try my best to push through them. I reach out to old friends and family members over the phone or online, and sometimes I even make new connections with other single parents in my area.

Ultimately, I have come to realize that the holidays are what we make of them. Yes, it can be difficult to be alone during this time, but it's also an opportunity to appreciate the simple things in life and to strengthen the bond between myself and my son. And who knows, maybe one day we'll have a big family to celebrate with, but until then, we'll make the most of what we have.