Each family’s holiday traditions are precious and, one hopes, the children and grandchildren will remember and continue them. But as we move on, and our lives change dramatically, our traditions must change too.

And, as single people, we can strive and thrive through holiday seasons by bringing cheer to others.

For example, we always had Thanksgiving dinner at home, but when our children married, they began going to their in-laws’ celebrations and we started holding our celebration a day or so after the holiday.

This year, I’m joining our daughter at her  in-laws’ Thanksgiving Day dinner, and we’re celebrating again in my home two days later. As usual, my niece and her family will join us, but this year we’ve added new faces too.

They include two men in our social group who no longer have wives at home and a woman who recently became a widow.

When I called to ask that friend what she’s doing on Saturday, Nov. 28, she said,  “Nothing, and it’s my birthday!”

“Terrific,” I answered, ” We’ll put a candle in the pumpkin pie!”

Of course, no holiday can be the same when you’ve lost a loved one. But  we’ve  found that helping others get through the day helps us too.