I have to ask the question – why oh why do terrorists have to continue their regime of fear, intimidation and violence in the face of the human tragedies that surround us day by day?
It makes me so angry.
The cat took exception to my new elephant brooch. I don't know why. Unless it is because it sparkles and catches his attention. He has the habit of draping himself all over me so perhaps it catches the whiskers on his chin.
Too bad – I shall wear it anyway.
It has been a Christmas holiday of disasters for so many people, and like many others, my mind cannot take it all in. The Asian Earthquake and consequent tsunamis have devastated so much. We have just heard of friends who were in Phuket – all is well, but it fairly brings things down to a personal level.
We have also been dealing with the outfall from another tragedy. A friend from the past has been missing for two weeks. The latest news is that a body has been found, presumed to be her. It looks like suicide, but there is to be a postmortem and inquest.
Life and death. Choice. There are times when we can choose and others when death seems to choose us. This morning I lit a candle and determined to make the most of this day.
Dogs have a much better attitude to post Christmas stress disorder than humans. They merely worry the toy till the jingle has gone.
I always used to think that Boxing Day was an apt term for the day after Christmas Day. It was the day when my extended family nearly came to blows……over how many ways to use up a turkey, or whose turn to do the dishes, or which film to watch on the telly.
Nowadays I think it is an apt descriptor of the skills employed by those visiting the “January” sales. Yes….even on a Sunday.
What is the magic of Christmas? It's not like the songs say…..chestnuts round an open fire (they spit and get burnt and give you indigestion). It's not all the touchy-feely family thing….. there's too much bickering and tiredness for that. It's not the parties and alcohol and dancing…..the reality is they give you headaches and you don't feel up to it anyway.
Christmas is about giving. The magic is in the gift of sharing the lives of others. Not the romantic notion of finding another human being whom we think will be the answer to all our woes. It is the life God gives – sharing the experiences of being human.
That's a magic that will never go away.
I shall be going to church away from home this year. It is my turn to listen to the Christmas stories and allow myself to be transported by sight, sound and fellowship.
Thank you to all those who make this possible for others.
Thank you to all those who work over the Christmas holidays.
The Christmas tree is very prickly and a bit lop-sided. That is because it is a pruning from the garden. However, the decorations are suitably festooned and they hide the bare bits reasonably well. Every year I am amazed that some of the baubles date back nearly forty years. Bit by bit we have added other mementoes from various countries. I do so admire the colour co-ordinated, designer trees seen in magazines and copied by friends, but there is something comforting about our eclectic mix of old and new.
I wonder if Martin knows his furry spider is usually a feature?
More people are surfing the web at the moment; I know that from the numbers visiting this weblog. Presumably it is because people are off work; large sections of industry and commerce tend to shut down for a couple of weeks over the Christmas holidays.
It feels very odd not to be working. Usually there is the rush of preparation, visits to oldies, special cards to deliver, school services…..and all amongst the paraphernalia of personal getting ready….. baking mince pies (all right, that is a lie, I haven't done that for years)….. decorating the tree and so forth. I love this time of year, even though it is the anniversary of a devastating family road accident ( nine years ago now.)
Yesterday I managed to drive into Oban and do some shopping, all the while congratulating myself on how I was coping. (Frequent cups of tea helped.) My self-satisfaction shows I am not up to the usual hurly burly. So the secret is to relax and enjoy the ministrations of others.
Christmas is a great time for catching up on news from near and far. The most interesting today, is about two new additions to the family for friends in Dumfriesshire. Two new greyhounds….. rescue dogs I assume. Two!
Happy Christmas Nellie and Bond. And don't tell Dana that her Christmas present is hidden upstairs. It is a small furry dog that barks and pants when you press its middle.
