A Singularly Lonely Christmas

Hollyberry

Happy Christmas, LavenderBees, and all who are sailing onwards more happily because of this thread. :A

I love the idea of the camel heading to the barn, what an amazing Christmas picture that has created. It reminded me of Thomas Hardy's lovely tale of The Oxen - here if you want to read it http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-oxen/. It is the story of Hardy returning to the innocence of the Christmas legend where he hopes he will still find the beasts of the field all kneeling for the birth. Beautiful imagery, and a great reminder of childhood.

A wee cry is never a bad thing. I stumbled across a memory of my mum this morning that made me sad (it's my birthday, so I am feeling her absence acutely), then almost immediately two magpies - two for joy, as my mum would remind me - appeared at the bird table arguing over the new fat ball. So I think she sent me a comedy turn to make me laugh. May those of you feeling the absence of loved ones stumble upon happy memories too.

[Deleted User]

Merry Christmas LB and everyone of you lovely and kind people who have posted the lovely supportive messages and ideas on these pages, Thank you very much.

boddy

Merry Christmas everyone whatever you are doing. Xx

calicocat

LB....this a hard time for you, but I have to say having met you, that I think you underestimate yourself. I found you a gusty lady and a positive but realistic one. Also one that has made me think and re-evaluate things myself.

I hope you enjoy tomorrow....you can wing it for sure, just don't let on you don't know what you're doing, and without a doubt delegate where appropriate.

Well today has been my xmas day....food baby acquired, my head is mush as god love her I don't think my mum has been silent for more than 2 mins when not asleep.....and she doesn't sleep for long unlike myself...and I can talk.

Meal and surroundings seemed to suit mum so that's a tick-box. She's having ginger wine now so that may slow her down a bit....lol...just kidding....well kind of.

I managed to get the chestnut ice-cream instead of offered desserts.....it was slightly tricky for around a 20 second gap. the waiter went silent and vacant, I thought for a horrid moment I was going to have to rugby tackle him down to the floor until he agreed, but just as I was about to make my move he asked two scoops or three. Really BAD decision as I said two for some odd reason....but better for the weight gain problem.

Again have a great day tomorrow everyone.



EDIT....how funny, i've written Gusty lady!!....lol. I 've left it due to weather tonight, but meant gutsy.

groatie_queen

Wishing you, LB, and everyone else all the best for Christmas. Here is my absolute favourite Christmas poem - I send it to my daughters every year. Enjoy xx

Christmas
Michael Leunig

I see a twinkle in your eye,
so this shall be my Christmas star
and I will travel to your heart:
the manger where the real things are.
And I will find a mother there
who holds you gently to her breast,
a father to protect your peace,
and by these things you shall be blessed.
And you will always be reborn
and I will always see the star
and make the journey to your heart:
the manger where the real things are.

LavenderBees

Oh, my goodness! Oh Dear! I have laughed so much, and then cried so much at these lovely posts this evening. I have tears running down my cheeks, not sure if it's the laughing or crying, very probably both.:p .

Thank you so much to you all for taking the time out of your celebrations or volunteer work. Again, you've arrived like the cavalry, just when I needed you all most, just as my mood was plummeting.

I LOVE the idea of being a gusty woman....let's see how I am after my Boxing Day is the new Christmas Day Christmas meal on Thursday :rotfl:

Happy birthday, Hollyberry. Hope you enjoyed it. I, too, have a funny story from this evening....as planned, I was lighting candles for my parents whilst listening to the haunting Once in Royal David's City. I started to cry...my old boy cat had been upstairs for a few minutes and came down, carrying with him the most awful smell :eek:. I tried so hard to concentrate on my grieving, and my special poignant moment with my parents, but no, the smell was too horrendous. So, in the middle of the carol, I had to go upstairs and clean out his litter tray :rotfl:. My Dad would have cried laughing at the incongruity of it, and it made me laugh/feel far better than I would have done, just sitting sobbing :T

Your poem made me cry again, groatiequeen, it's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it.

Ah, thanks again, everybody. I feel like you're all here with me .

LB xx

LavenderBees

Mee wrote: »

I wish you a Happy Christmas and a decent 2014!:beer::beer:
I'm in the same boat, but sans pets (can't have them in my apartment ). Expect to be helping recently discharged patients thrown out by the NHS (bless them) over the next few days.

Bless you! I'd be very lost without my boys. Would you like to borrow my old boy? He comes complete with cuddles on tap, and has already done his business for today...

Hope all goes well the next few days. You're an :A

LavenderBees

parsniphead wrote: »

Merry Christmas LavenderBees.

What an inspirational thread you started which I'm sure has inspired many.

Enjoy the bacon sarnie, try not to get brown sauce on the duvet. It's too wet to dry washing.

Take care.

Shhh....don't tell the OS police...I DID have brown sauce and had to wash the duvet cover...I used my TD :eek:

LavenderBees

venetianlagoon wrote: »

I have loved reading this thread. I think many of us have re learned what the true spirit of Christmas is from it.

I will be in the the thick of it with family tomorrow but there are several important people missing so the day is always poignant, but I try not to let it show.

And we have a family funeral on Friday, of a lovely lady (not a very close relative, a cousin, but still, it serves to remind us vividly that this is a sad time for many)

I hope you enjoy your day and whilst you may be physically alone there are many who will be with you in spirit.

Happy Christmas.

This is a lovely thoughtful post venetianlagoon. Thank you. I hope this weeks goes as well as it can for you and your family.

x

luxor4t

Raising a paper cup of T*sco cola to you and all the other readers of your interesting and encouraging thread, tonight and through the next few days :beer: