Christmas Abundance

At this time of festive preparation and Christmas feasting, it can be easy to get pulled in to the idea that we have to be happy and upbeat and if we are not, then there is something wrong. Well, it is just a date in the calendar and our lives don't stop being stressful, challenging or difficult just because it is the 25th December. However, it can be a time to step out of things we are going through, and simply give thanks for what is good, whatever that may be.

Your life may well be full of abundance, or it could be hard to see a positive sign, but I do hope you can find time to celebrate what you feel is important to you at this Christmas time. May an abundance of Christmas cheer find its way to you this week wherever you are, whatever you believe in and however you choose to spend this time.

The Facts of Life

Last night, A. came downstairs because he couldn't get to sleep. This is a fairly common occurrence at the moment, especially with his broken arm. We talked about what was bothering him, and eventually he said how much he wished he had a brother or sister living with us, so then he would not be so scared at night. This is something that many 'only' children must feel (he has two half brothers much older who he doesn't see often), and I felt so very sorry for him.

We talked about this and then things moved on to where babies come from. (I have been wondering when/if he would ask about this sometime!) He sort of knew already, but wanted to be sure. I won't go into our conversation as it was between us, but he did ask, with a certain amount of disbelief, 'Did you and Daddy have to do that to get me?'

However, the main thing about that conversation which has stayed with me, was his struggle with the idea that there are certain things in life that we just can't have, however much we would like them. We talked about his love to have a sibling and how that couldn't happen now, and he then said, 'Well, I suppose we just have to be happy with how things are. and not wish for things we know we can't have' And it was so moving, knowing how much it meant for him to say that.

The facts of life seem so much more complex than simple biology... My question today is, 'What facts of life are you finding difficult to deal with at the moment, and what can you focus on to make things a bit easier NOW?'

Birthday Bash!

A. broke his arm on Tuesday night. He had been staying with his Dad and leapt at him across the bed at bedtime, as 9yr olds do, missed, put out his arm to break his fall and broke his arm instead. His Dad took him to Kendal Hospital where they X-rayed it, put a temporary splint on and sent him to Lancaster Hospital in the middle of the night, for an op to set it the next morning. He is doing OK, managing with this really heavy plaster on his arm, and loads of medicine to ease the pain.

I had been working away for almost 2 weeks with only a day or so back home, when it happened. I won't bore you with the details of how I found out but suffice to say, it highlighted how differently two loving parents can view the same incident! Having ensured that my business colleague would be OK with my leaving the training course, I returned home on Wednesday evening to see my poor lad all pale and bravely clasping his newly plastered arm before him. He had a very painful night but is getting better by the day. Apparently it is a really bad break and he will have to have the plaster for about 6 weeks and it could take up to a year to heal properly... so a less than active Christmas for him. He keeps saying he wished he had a time machine to take him back to before he leapt across the bed!

The day he did it was his Dad's birthday, and Thursday was mine, so both of us were suitably distracted and not bothered about celebrating. (I usually tell all and sundry as I love celebrations...!) However, the upside was that we were together for the day and had lots of calls and relatives round to see how he was doing and it was all quite convivial in spite of the circumstances.

And today there is no question to muse over, just the thought that our loved ones are the most important things in life and it is so awful when we see them suffering and can do little to help and that time spent with them is so precious.