Sunday 24th December 2023
Christmas Eve.
I had a cool start to it with a light drizzle while out on our run at 5am. Although my legs were very tired today so I walked while Rusty ran. But I was looking forward to an early catch up with another school friend who lives on this estate. She's the person who connected me with this housesitting and it's fun being just up the road from her for this short time. I forgot to take a picture while at the coffee shop so I managed to find her in the supermarket afterwards.
We chatted about her Christmas plans and it got me thinking about my childhood Christmases. It always felt like an exciting time for me. I remember my high school years more, and while waiting for Rusty to do his business in the garden tonight I started remembering Christmas eves. The loud crickets, and frogs hummed their tune as I watched the moon try push to be seen from behind the clouds.
Eve time would have that last minute rush to it. Presents would be hurriedly wrapped while mum's cloth dumpling would be filling the house with fruity smells. Dad would still insist on watching the news which always managed to be less gruesome for 2 days and we'd be getting the glasses ready for drinks after midnight mass. The siblings that lived out of town would arrive and somehow we always managed to squeeze everybody in somewhere.
I'd be yawning my teenage head off but determined to make it to church so I could get some of my presents on our return. I remember being torn between opening everything at 2am or saving something for when my younger sister would wake up in the morning. The presents were often the same thing every year with school socks, sweets and underwear, but occasionally there'd be something different, like the year I got a second hand bike. The presents weren't really the goal as much as the whole excitement and build up to it all was.
Through the years I began to change and I no longer need the build up and excitement of the actual festive season. I've had so many wonderful moments this past year that it feels like I've received so many great gifts. I had the gift of catching up with my friend today. I received some wonderful voice notes from people today that I hadn't heard from in a while. I had the gift of walking in the start of a storm on the way back from the dog park this afternoon. I got back inside just as the heavens opened for the second time today and Rusty and Chutney the cat, sought me sought me out for comfort. I was able to help the other cat JD with a box that he immediately jumped in to. And I'm now gifting myself with an early night.
Tis the season for giving, and the season for receiving. My heart is full.
Thank you to you, dear reader, for taking the time to read this and I wish you, a special Merry Christmas.
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