This can be the worst time of all for the lonely, the bereaved, the isolated and most people forget this in a flurry of material celebrations....of goodness knows what these days - nothing much to do with a baby in a manger. Four years ago I attended the funeral of a dear friend around about now, whose death was a shock to all. Two years ago at this time, I attended another funeral of another friend and witnessed the devastation of his family between Christmas and New Year. I recall every year that back when I was 16 years old, a friend of mine lost her life to Leukeamia over the Christmas holiday and left her sisters and parents and friends bereft. I Attended a funeral a couple of days ago of a friend aged 39. He left a wife and two children both with health issues, the elder of whom had a birthday the day before and the younger of whom needs care which means his mother cannot leave him to work. For anyone feeling that Christmas is a burden on their resources, their pockets, their sanity.....because of over indulgence in needless reverie which has moved so far away from the celebration of a religious day as it can get .....there needs to be a remembering of those who would LOVE to be able to spend this season with loved ones but for various reasons cannot. It is as well to remember tragedies can hit anyone at any time....and this is not intended to lay people low with negative thoughts but to make ANY of us who are healthy and not plunged into the abyss of loss or loneliness this Christmas to count ourselves even more lucky that we have things that money cannot buy: friends, family and health and love. For those things I am very grateful and that alone will mean that this time is a HAPPY one for me and I heartily wish the same for you all!
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 08:05:09 +0000