My thoughts at Christmas are, first and foremost, with those who are away from their families. People like me, actually. This is down at least in part to the fact that many of them are dead and that many of the others live away from us, not least my Canadian family. At least we got to see them back in the autumn, or fall as they say over there. I miss them more than words can ever say but thanks to the technological genius of the modern world we can at least meet virtually, via cyberspace.
Less so our armed forces, medics and many others who perform vital jobs for our country. Cynics may and indeed do say, “Well, it’s their choice to join the armed forces” or whatever it is that keeps them away from their loved ones, but I don’t look at it like that. I take the old fashioned view that our armed forces are the very best of us, heroes without capes. Maybe next year, if the rosters work out better, things will be better?
Peering through the grim British morning, with heavy drizzle falling, I briefly cast an envious eye to those who live in sunnier climes. But that soon passes that, oddly enough, I have now lived through at least part of eight decades and it’s always been like this. And I have listened to old people whingeing about the weather right up until the point that I became one of those old people.
I have thought about spending Christmas in the sun, perhaps to a Canary island or even further south, but the feeling soon passes. It is bad enough that some members of the family are too far away to be with at Christmas without deliberately choosing to be away from everyone else, so I’ve never done it and, almost certainly, never will.
When it comes to the weather, I wonder if I am on the opposite side of the road to the sun-seekers and indeed the sun-seeker I used to be. I still value my sunshine holiday which features close to the top of my annual to do list and life always feels better when I can put my spring, summer and autumn clothes on, yet since my partner’s gardening hobby became an obsession, I have somehow learned to appreciate and even enjoy the changing of the seasons. I have transformed from one of those dreadful pub bores who claim that “we don’t have seasons anymore” to someone who now gets it, as a result of actually observing nature’s changing of the guard. And it does change, sometimes at glacial speed. You just have to pay attention, never a strong point of mine.
Every day, I observe webcams from all over the world from the warmth of my man cave and the warmer places do look appealing. Away from everyone and everything, with just some music, books and wine to keep me company. Yes, that would do. But then again, as I constantly say, time is running out. I need to value each and every moment with family and much loved friends and, if I am being honest, Zoom is a distant second to a decent hug and a firm manly handshake. In my reality, miles can truly separate you from the ones you love and I have to be, at least at Christmas, where my heart is.
There’s a lot wrong with our country, where everything feels broken and nothing works. But those who have broken it can’t stop the one thing that really matters; our love for one another. That’s why I’m staying at home this Christmas and, for all that warm sunshine elsewhere in the world, I’m happy to be here.
Happy holidays, everyone and just remember: all you need is love. Sunshine can wait.
