In the immortal words of Slade, “Merry Christmas Everybody!” one of my favourites, but my all-time favourite would have to be “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” This year I think Christmas falls into two camps:
1) “It’s been a tough year we need something to celebrate so we’re going all out to make this one extra special” understandable.
2) “I’m just not feeling Christmassy and I can’t get into the spirit, I don’t want to celebrate it this year” also understandable.
I’m most definitely in camp 1. Christmas is my favourite time of year, partly because it was always a peaceful time in an otherwise volatile home life when I was growing up, The Salvation Army also played a large part in the happy memories from my youth, nothing says Christmas like The Salvation Army band on the High Street. Then later when I was older such fun times at work and with friends and latterly in my own home with my own children. This year I received an Advent Calendar, the first since I was a child and it really is exciting each day, it is the smallest things that can lift your mood, well that and chocolate! I feel we must make the most of this time even with our limited restrictions, our restrictions here are different from the UK and other parts of the world but wherever you are and whoever you are sharing this time with I hope you have an amazing time and you do whatever fits in with your current situation and how you feel.
It’s also been a difficult time for many, if you are able to help others then reach out, it doesn’t have to be much, even just a call to a neighbour who lives alone to see if they are okay, it is the time for giving after all and that could just be giving your time. So, celebrate with the ones you love and make the most of what you have, cherish the small moments and memories, hopefully next Christmas will be much better, and we will reunite with loved ones who cannot be with us this year, many of us are in this position with travel not really an option right now. I never imagined, not even in my wildest dreams, that this would ever happen, but here we are.
As is usual at this time of year TV became a bit more interesting, I followed “I’m A Celebrity”, you must remember that I haven’t been watching it all the time it has been recorded because of living in Malta, so it’s still quite new for me. Steve preferred Australia to Wales, but hey ho! Is it me or was everyone in it really kind and loving towards each other? Was that because of the current situation I wonder, or was it just the mix of people? Maybe a bit of both. It had me laughing and crying and each person would have been a worthy winner, but being such a feminist, I’m so glad it was a woman, and she did it for all women, she was one of the few I didn’t know at the beginning and she completely won me over, well done Giovanna Fletcher! Of course, you know that Christmas is almost here when we have Strictly back! Wasn’t sure it would happen this year but well, where there’s a will……
It's been a strange and challenging year and as New Year approaches, not my favourite time of year, I did think it would be a good idea to stay up this year and make sure it leaves - but whilst we run towards the end of the year, glad to see the back of 2020, pause for a minute and think about what we have learnt about ourselves and what this year has taught us. For me, it has been to appreciate the little things and most importantly the special people in our lives, the power of the human touch, how resilient we are and how the kindest word or act can make all the difference. Have you discovered strengths you never knew you had? It has also highlighted how much I appreciate my family and those friends who are always there for me no matter what! It gave me a chance to slow down, to move home, to pursue my passion of writing. It has also made me aware of how much I love to travel, I have really missed travelling and I definitely won’t take that for granted again! We all have to hope that the new vaccination programme will help us to return to some kind of normality, time will tell but we can’t carry on like this indefinitely can we?!
Before I forget, Emilia and I had an awesome birthday and I was completely overwhelmed by all the love and wishes sent my way, imaginative and thoughtful gifts, cards, and kind words, thank you so much. It was a COVID-19 birthday so one I’ll never forget but I think I’ll just continue celebrating for the next 12 months all the same.
Last but certainly not least, the winner of my latest giveaway! The winner this time was picked out of a bag by my fellow birthday companion my granddaughter, Emilia, she chose ‘LAURA BORG’ congratulations Laura a Guess purse is winging its way to you soon. I’m so pleased that Laura won as not only is she a super fun-loving friend who always has the power to make me laugh no matter what, and has in the past given me invaluable advice, but she is also one of our wonderful NHS front line workers. It gives me the perfect opportunity to pay tribute and applaud all those selfless men and women who put their lives at risk daily and make sacrifices for the rest of us, it most certainly is a vocation. I know first-hand, having family and close friends working in healthcare both in Malta and the UK, how hard this time has been. Laura works as a leukaemia clinical nurse specialist at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London. Sadly Laura hasn’t been able to get back to Malta to see her family this year due to the situation and we all really miss her, hoping to see you very soon Laura.
Well, my lovelies that is it from me for now, have a peaceful Christmas and above all stay safe and take care. I’ll be back in the New Year, thanks for staying with me and supporting my ramblings, I hope that in some small way I have made you smile or brought a smidgen of comfort.
From our home to yours, Love and best wishes for Christmas and especially for 2021, I hope to get to see more of you all then xxx
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