Three Years after Wife’s Death, Old Man Invites His Neighbor to Celebrate Christmas Together – Story of the Day

Adam felt lonelier than ever this holiday season. His son, Mason, was on a ski trip with his wife’s family, and Adam would be spending Christmas completely alone. But he ran into his neighbor, Riley, at the store and invited her over. After spending Christmas night together, they decided not to waste more time.

Adam Tillman sighed while pushing his cart at the supermarket. Christmas was only two days away, and he would be spending it alone for the first time in his life. His wife, Amalia, died three years ago, but his son, Mason, always came to visit him in Yuma, Arizona.

Unfortunately, Mason’s wife’s family planned a skiing trip to their lodge in Aspen, Colorado, which was over three hours from their home in Denver. At 77 years old, Adam was in no shape to go with them. His son promised they would visit on the 26th, but that still meant that Adam would spend Christmas day alone. It wasn’t a great feeling. He was a family man, through and through.

But he understood. Mason was in his 30s, and he deserved to have fun. Moreover, his wife and kids had not spent the holidays with her side of the family in a few years. This was the best option for them, but it meant that Adam would be alone.

Adam felt even worse as he walked the aisles at the supermarket, watching people buying their last-minute ingredients for Christmas. But he was still going to cook an excellent dinner for himself.

Suddenly, someone ran into his cart with her own. “Oh, excuse me!” he heard a woman’s voice say. Adam looked up and recognized his neighbor, Mrs. Burks.

“Mrs. Burks, don’t worry about it,” the older man said and smiled kindly.

“Oh, it’s you, Mr. Tillman. Please, call me Riley. I think we’re about the same age, right?” the woman added laughing.

“Then you have to call me Adam too. You’re right. I believe we’re both in our 70s? But we don’t have to say the exact number,” Adam joked. Riley agreed, and they chatted for several minutes about the upcoming holidays. Adam told her his son was not coming this year and why.

“Well, we’re on the same boat. My daughter, Lucy, can’t come until the 26th because they’re spending it with her husband’s side. I had Thanksgiving this year. It’s so crazy dividing holidays with your kids, isn’t it?...