The festive period is very much upon us now. I know, through my personal and professional life, that this can be a difficult time for many people at the best of times. And I think it’s fair to say that this isn’t ‘the best of times’.
For me, Christmas is about spending time with my family and reconnecting with friends. It’s the one time of year when I’ll get together with almost everyone who is important to me. There’s always food, often wine, and a good amount of cheer. It’s about being around the people I value, and letting them know they are appreciated and loved.
So the prospect of a very different Christmas this year is not one I am relishing. All the video calls in the world can’t aren’t a substitute for hugging my parents on Christmas morning. But none of that is worth risking the health of the people I hold dear. So I will enjoy this period as best I can, in full compliance with government guidance. I’ll be avoiding the Christmas films that make me cry this year, but hopefully get to watch Miracle on 34th Street, even if I must do so alone. My husband has a complete aversion to child actors that he is unable to get past, apparently. Even for my favourite Christmas film.
In the spirit of making the most of things, I want to take this time to thank you for your support. I started this blog little more than a year ago. It was barely more than a pipe dream, born of a desire to provide support to professionals and families finding themselves in difficult situations. I have nothing but respect for frontline health and social care workers, and ending my day knowing that I have helped them to help vulnerable people is what keeps me getting up each morning.
This has been a challenging year for us all. But watching this site grow has been a real light for me through some pretty dark times.
So Merry Christmas everybody, and I hope you find time for what is important to you this festive period, whatever that may be. Remember to reach out to others, and continue to hold on to the hope that we will get through this.
I’ll be here, with my husband, cat critic and all the optimism I can muster.
In case it isn’t obvious from the fact I still haven’t identified the authority I work for, the views expressed on this blog are my own opinion and not the opinion of that local authority