For me now as we approach autumn/winter the next couple of months bring with them very emotional trauma for me. I have had two lots of grief counselling. Where my very nice counsellor informed me I have PTSD. My former siblings caused that by the way I was treated when both my parents passed away they bullied me and it got very nasty. I have cut them out of my life I haven’t spoken to them in Two years I was disgared on the day of my mum’s funeral. It was then I became an adult orphan I had no one I am on my own I was the sole carer of my parents and they took it out on me because they did sweet fanny Adams when they were alive. I have had two Christmases on my own and being away from their toxic poison is good for my mental and physical health. I will not take their abuse they made me feel like a stranger at both my parents’ funerals the old saying You can’t choose your family is true I now have no family. It has been two years since I lost Mum and Dad I have dark days which knock me for six and the coming months are going to be very painful it is this forum that helps me get out all the bad sorry for the long post having one of those days take care everyone Kate xxx
Hi Kate, sorry to read this, it’s understandable that you would feel so hurt by your siblings action’s. For me, i have learnt the difference between “family” and now i label those people i havent seen for years as relatives. We might have blood links but they are not family in the true sense of the word as,.similar to you theyve done diddly squat, i dont have any contact with them for various reasons - relationships work both ways, and i certainly agree that it is not worth sacrificing your inner peace for others & the sake of “family”. I too am an adult orphan, this will be my first christmas.
What have you done for the last two Christmas’s? Do you have anything planned for this year? X
Hi, @kate88
Sorry to hear they are treating you so badly. I understand how this feels, my so-called family have treated me abominably too, & I agree, people like that are not worth the stress & upset they cause. Something I learned when my mom passed, life is short, & I for one intend to spend the time I have on happy things, reading good books 
, walks in the sunshine, making special memories with the people who matter & treat me well. Sending hugs of support.
Thank you for your kind words I will be spending Christmas doing what I want which is watching old sitcoms and eating stew from my crockpot. Christmas is now a time I have to get through because my dad passed away in December 2021 and my mum two weeks later in January 2022. I just treat it like a bank holiday take care kate xx