We were a close family with extended "friend families" until the kids left for school. Now we're in four separate places trying to get by, and we can't even deal with the "friend families" in the same way. We are so shattered, all of us, that our normal togetherness times (holidays, vacations, birthdays) are meaningless.
Sorry to be morose, but it is sad even for adult children. We are their role models in marriage Rs.
You're right, these things seem meaningless now and even for adult children this is the worst thing for them to have to deal with. My S11 turned to me the other day and says he doesn't want to get married now when he's older. Made me so sad. I don't want his entire future to change because of this but I suppose it is inevitable. It is lovely that your Ds want to help you through this but, as you say, it is not a place we want our children to be.
