Christmas is coming. Commercially, the big build up began
around September, as always, and started to wind me up immediately. I can’t
stand it. As a Christian, I look forward to Christmas and celebrating the birth
of Christ. Non-believers please respect as I do you. This year, the build-up seems
to have annoyed me more than ever. I felt brain washed into thinking I was
behind with my own preparations. I’ve grumbled at every TV advert and moaned
about decorations being displayed early. Bah humbug. December 1st is
soon enough. My whole year has been a roller-coaster ride consisting of more
downs than ups with no end in sight to balance things out. Everyone, well,
nearly everyone wanted me to address my 70th birthday with bells and
whistles. I didn’t, but anyone who wanted to celebrate on my behalf was welcome
to go fill their boots – at their own expense. There were some special moments.
Thank you for the fine dining, you know who you are. I was so glad to go and
hide and hibernate for a couple of welcome weeks at our favourite lodge in
Dumfries & Galloway, out of the rat-race and with a fabulous view.
Of course, the Christmas build up was also under way in
Castle Douglas and Kirkcudbright, but in a nice way and I could cope quite
happily. I’m better suited to the pace of life there. We’d missed the arrival of Santa who made his
annual sail into Kirkcudbright harbour the week before we got there. It is a
spectacular event and great for the children. We’ve seen it before and filmed
most of it, still on a camera somewhere. As I fretted over Christmas and not
being ready, I did some gift shopping as calmly as I could, keeping panic mode
at bay. I enjoyed a quiet afternoon using my new, birthday present pen to write
the cards that required posting. Anyone receiving my card through the mail can
be forgiven for thinking we’ve moved, at last. I wish.
The build up to Christmas continues at home, now that we’ve
returned. With four excited grandchildren still of an age to be enchanted, I
can’t be too ‘humbuggy’. Our tree, old faithful that I intend to replace and
say so every 12th night, was hurriedly put together so the kids
could hang their chosen decorations. It’s since had a small tidy – sorry, but I
had to – and looks okay, if a bit askew.
This week, I’ll return to the school library and enjoy the
company of more excited children in Christmas jumpers, and some naughty elves,
I’m informed. My eyes will be moist as I hear their carols and Christmas songs coming
from the hall, and I’ll put maudlin to one side for a while.
This is a poem from a Christmas card I have in a frame and
bring out every year,
Christmas Memories
Christmas memories stir the waters of the well of thought –
And reflect the best of what the passing years have brought…
Past and present mingle when we hear the Christmas chimes.
Names come back as we recall good things and happy times.
Patience Strong
1907-1990
Thanks for reading, Pam x
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