A most memorable Christmas
Well, here we are again at the end of another year and I hope your last week is just what you want it to be. I’ve been having a lovely week, following on from a surprisingly delightful Christmas. I say surprisingly because things didn’t turn out as I had planned for Christmas, but in the end it all turned out better than I could have planned.
I had spent the days leading up to Christmas in a frenzy of shopping and planning for the “perfect Christmas” at home with my husband. We live in the country, but because I work part-time in the city, the snow that arrived the Monday before Christmas meant I wasn’t able to travel back home as planned. The snow got heavier, my car got stuck and I found myself stranded in Dublin. Husband heard my SOS and came to rescue me and now we were both stranded. I thought of the Christmas tree still waiting to be decorated, the turkey in the fridge, the presents waiting to be wrapped – all the trappings of the perfect Christmas in place in the country, and here we were with nothing in the city. No presents, no tree, no turkey, no TV! Oh and did I mention that our heating and our cooker broke down and the kitchen sink was blocked because of a frozen down pipe?
But…
It was the best Christmas ever!
We borrowed a heater, bought an electric blanket, some books, some microwavable meals and a set of fairy lights. We read, we went for walks in the snow, we talked and best of all we spent a whole week together with no work and no distractions. This Christmas I got the best gifts of all but they didn’t come wrapped in any paper or tied with a bow. This Christmas I received the gift of simplicity, the gift of being present to what is, the gift of solitude and rest.
There is still time to give yourself these gifts too. Sleep more if your body needs rest, focus your energy on relaxing rather than feeling you need to do everything, spend time with people you love, being truly present for them and for yourself.
It is easier to do this in the days after Christmas, when things slow down, and while you are doing this, reflect on these words of Calvin Coolidge:
Christmas is not a time nor season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
Wishing you all the real spirit of Christmas in your hearts today and always.
Lovely post Marie and I am so glad you found contentment in all of that, that is a lovely quote too, that christmas …. is a state of mind. I’ve been reading some Enid Blyton books that I loved as a kid to Will and Kate (the Faraway tree) and have really enjoyed how they take pleasure in just sitting on the sofa and listening and picturing all the characters in their minds – who need fancy computer games!
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I have wonderful memories of being taken to faraway places by reading Enid Blyton books as a child. I was always so enchanted by her stories – particularly the mysteries. So wonderful to pass that love and excitment to your own children Lorna.
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You never cease to amaze me with not only your timing of posts, but with your posts.
This is yet another in a very long list of beautiful posts. This read like a chapter in a good book. This sounds like a wonderful holiday, what could be better than spending quality time with the one’s you love the most, with little or no (noise) distractions.
I am very happy your Christmas turned out to be so wonderful.
Happy New Year!
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Thank you Patty for your lovely comment and thank you for all your support over the past year. May the New Year bring you health, peace, happiness and good fortune x
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Marie,
I agree, this is really a lovely post and what a good reminder to all of us. How sweet that your hubby came to your rescue and you both were able to spend some quiet time enjoying the simple pleasures of the season. And a whole week! That is a gift in itself! I love the week between Christmas and New Years as things automatically slow down and we become more reflective about the year that is ending and start looking forward to the fresh start the New Year offers. I wish good things for you in that New Year, Marie.
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Thank you Nancy , and yes, you are so right – that week between Christmas and New Year is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and take the time for reflection on the year that has passed, and our hopes and plans for the coming year. May you have an abundance of happiness and good health in 2011 x
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Marie, I could see this story being turned into a Life Time Movie! You made me smile today and thank you so much for sharing with us the untraditional perfect Christmas! Hugs!
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I hope you too enjoyed a good christmas Luann, especially after the year you’ve had xxx
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Marie, what a truly lovely post. Well done on recognising that Christmas truly does exist in the heart and not in things.
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Oh what a fantastic post – it moved me to read your words today. Wishing you happiness and health in 2011.
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Another wonderful post Marie!
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Just want to take this opportunity to thank you for all the inspiring, moving and educational posts of 2010. Looking forward to more of the same in the coming year.
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What a sweet story and you look like such a lovely couple in our picture 🙂
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You both look so happy. Such an adorable couple. It does sound like your unplanned Christmas was wonderful and memorable.
When James asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I told him “time.” More time with him. Because of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the fallout in November & first two weeks of December, I’d been traveling for 10 weeks, almost nonstop, and we hadn’t spent lots of time together. Sadly, I didn’t get my wish of more time with him.
His funeral is this afternoon at 3pm. Please keep me in your prayers.
Love,
Brenda
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Oh Brenda, my heart aches for you. I know what a soul mate you had in James, and it is just too cruel to have him taken from you, especially at this time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers xxxxx
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What a lovely post. I’m so glad you had a lovely Christmas. The best times are usually the ones that aren’t planned. Happy New Year xx
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Simply lovely! Thanks for sharing. It gives me hope that I can find that quiet, peaceful, thoughtful, lovely space that is the essence of Christmas and nurture it year round:)
Love to you!
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Marie, what a perfect holiday message for everyone, not just those of us struggling with illness. Slow down, cherish the small things, keep it simple, treasure each other. And I love the quote from Calvin Coolidge of all people!! I am so glad to have found your blog. I am looking forward to more reading.
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Thanks for taking the time to comment Marie – now if only I can manage to keep this lesson for the rest of the year!
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What an inspiration and as an above poster noted, it does truly read like a book.
To Brenda, I wish you peace and beautiful memories, sustaining love beyond the ages.
JBBC, here’s to keeping up the beautiful work 🙂
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Welcome to the JBBC blog and thank you for taking the time to leave such a heart-warming comment 🙂
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