....."I must have done something good." So goes one of the songs from The Sound of Music (oh, just remembered, I went to one of those singalongs things once and it was dire!!) although I sang "wicked" childhood until I just checked the lyrics! Where was I? Ah yes, discovering boys and ignoring toys. Being a teenager (in or out of 'love') was sooo boring and Christmas was one big bore and my sister and brother were such a bore and a real pain in the bum and my folks were major boring too. Best to skim over those Christmases then - ha!
I try not to have regrets, or at least, to not dwell on them too much, but there is one. I was 21 and married. My mum had cancer (although she was home) but that Christmas was spent with my in-laws and I saw my family on the Boxing Day. Mum died in the following February and I didn't see it coming. Although all the signs were there you never think your mum is going to die and I so wish we had been there and I had known to make it a special one for her and my family. Logically I know it's silly but I guess it plays a great part in why I feel so strongly about seeing and being with those I love over the Christmas period and why it has such meaning for me. I think the strength of this has only occurred to me as I write this.
This year there will be about 14 of us on Christmas Eve and we will be at mine. With the 'children' living in different areas (and countries!) it is a great time to catch up, have a laugh and remember family tales and gossip! My lovely future daughter-in-law, sister, sis-in-law, brother and niece will be here too. Plus me of course, burning something in the kitchen and deciding more mulled wine is the only way to go! Boxing Day is similar but with my Dad and Rosie too, bless.
When Joe was about three years old and at playschool, he became friends with Shereef and this has remained the case ever since. His adorable folks, Amira and Rafeek, are two of my closest friends and our families (together with other friends) have spent most of the last fifteen or more Christmases together at their home, with sometimes as many as twenty or more of us. Now they have grandchildren who add a new dimension to the day - and make us feel a bit old! We eat, drink, laugh and sing all day. My son, David and sister Karen are both great musicians so the range of music is wide but we still have to sing "Liverpool Lullaby" at some point!
Last year, Amira and Raf did all this without hot water and with a massive hole in the kitchen ceiling and the year before, some of us were (unknowingly) in various stages of having the dreadful Norovirus, so it can be eventful!
In the buildup to Christmas, my pals and I all try to find time to catch up, have lunch or drinks and exchange (small) pressies. We are always busy but it can be a real mix of sadness and happiness for some and we all appreciate and acknowledge this.
I don't think I've had a particularly easy life. I have endured my share of grief and sorrow and money is often in short supply. But, as someone who is more inclined to see a glass half full than half empty, I count my blessing on a regular basis - and as you have read here (and in other blogs) there are many. Money is not the measure of every (any?) thing, trust me on that one, although it can 'oil the wheels' somewhat. A good family and dear friends make you rich beyond words, so nurture and treasure yours whenever possible.
Tomorrow I am being treated to lunch at Jamie O's in Liverpool and really looking forward to it. Perhaps, as the song says, "Somewhere in my youth and childhood, I must have done something good." I still have a sneaky feeling that Santa actually does exist - and why not!
No comments:
Post a Comment