divorcecd parents, holidays--advice?

Ok, I'm on bronchitis drugs, so I am not going to be my cuttingly witty self at the mo'. Please bear with me.

So I've been split for a year and a half, divorced for five months since NC makes you stay separated for a year first, in case 'you change your minds'. Um, no. Anyway...

This Christmas will be the first that I do not spend with my son. Last year it was the first Thanksgiving, and I concocted an elaborate plan to visit friends and it mostly worked. Still sucked, but it worked. And it's good for my son, I know that.

However, it's hard on me. I will do it, of course, but I want some wisdom here.

I have another wallowing-avoidance plan: not going to my parents', as the eleven nieces and nephews will highlight my loss. I was going to Mexico with my running buddy and her family, but Hurricane Wilma tanked their trip, so now I am going alone.

I am cool with that. Pre-baby and marriage, I was a seasoned traveler and some of my best trips happen when I'm alone. Also, dive trips are good friend-makers--you're together on a boat all day. So the trip will be cool.

The build up is messing with me. I watched Rudolph alone b/c he was with his dad and was a MESS. It caught me by surprise. No, I will not be watching Frosty. But I'm also running around and doing way too many things in an effort to avoid thinking about it. This is a coping mechanism, but not sustainable.

Especially when one has bronchitis. So now I can't do anything, and I'm stuck with my head. This hurts, kids. Any tips for me on getting past it? I've gotten past many things in the past year and a half, but this one is thwarting me so far.

thanks.