You would have to have been living in total isolation to have not noticed that Christmas is fast approaching.
All the shops are blaring out all the old tunes,shelves are decked with glittering joy.
For far too many people Christmas is a very difficult time, not much joy to be had.
The TV ads show wonderful scenes of happy smiling families,opening a myriad of presents, children with beaming smiles and tables leden with obscene amounts of food.
This is not reality.
Families are separated for many reasons, loved ones may have passed, illness may be impacting on families, and estrangement cause those feelings of loss.
Loss of how things used to be.
Sometimes the memories we have of a time gone by can sustain us, grateful for those times. Not everyone has those memories. I was one of those fortunate people who had a wonderful relationship with my Mum, we were great friends and we laughed our way through life, the highs and lows, I miss her everyday not just at Christmas, but I am eternally grateful for the time we had together, precious times and memories that live with me.
Equally, although I no longer have contact with my eldest granddaughter I am also so grateful for the times we were together and the fun we had, not everyone gets that opportunity, I don’t know why she decided to cut us all out of her life again, but she obviously had her reasons, which I have to respect and accept.
I have to focus on family members who do care about us, they all have their own problems and struggles, but we look after one another as it should be, and I know how lucky I am.
We can’t avoid Christmas however much we would like to, it will reappear year after year!
So maybe spoil yourself, do something you have been putting off for ages, you are allowed to spoil yourself.
One year Marc and I volunteered with the Marmalade Trust, we were matched up with two people who would be spending Christmas Day alone, we picked them up and took them to a local hotel and spent the day with them and many others, sharing a Christmas lunch, presents and more importantly sharing their company and stories of their lives.
I can honestly say it was the best Christmas Day we have ever had, the true spirit of Christmas right there in that room.
It is never about the glitz but about the kindness of others, there is more kindness out there than we are led to believe we just need to recognise it and embrace it.
