How about a spot of thread drift.

We popped over to see our son and his family on Christmas morning. As we got out of the car, who should come bowling down the street on his new skateboard, with a huge smile on his face, but our 6-year old grandson with his dad. Instant hugs all round. Into the house to see the 8-year old and the new girl (8 months old). We had a lovely hour there, chatting and having a few nibbles and a small (in my case) glass of champagne. Then back home for dinner - I went over the road to get mum-in-law (89) and bring her slowly over to us for the meal, which was excellent. Mum went back to her house for a sleep and a rest, and we relaxed with books and a bit of TV.

On Boxing Day the family returned the visit to us - pleasant chaos for a few hours while the kids played with the toys we'd bought them before and after dinner. Both construction toys that we could all help to put together. Mum came across again. At about 7pm my son and family went home and I settled down to the washing up!

The weather was crap but all was warm and pleasant inside. The lights on the tree looked great, and the nip from the half bottle of cognac that my son bought me for Christmas went down a treat.

I'm sorry for anyone with such a bleak outlook as the OP. But - for me - these two days were a chance to forget the cares of the world, however slight and temporary that chance is, and concentrate on loved ones. There are 363 other days on which to worry and agonise about the world. We as ordinary individuals can't do much about the world in reality, but we CAN help and support and care for the circles of our family and friends. And circles overlap.