Happy Christmas! I know that many people start taking down their decorations now but I keep a traditional Christmas and today is the fourth day. Nobody has sent me any colley birds but it will be Christmas here until Epiphany on 6th January, when my three little magi will arrive at the crib.
Something rather special happened on the day I wrote my last post, 23rd December. The daughter of a dear friend sent me a message which said, "Quick! Look on your doorstep," so I did, and there I found a shallow, blue Wedgwood box bound with satin ribbon. I brought it inside, out of the rain, opened it and found a lovely plate, this lovely plate, which is now sitting in the middle of my dining table -
Along with the plate there was a card which says, "In commemoration of the year we met and the amazing memories that followed." The card is next to me on my desk right now. I felt quite overwhelmed. My friend is a quiet, shy person and we see each other infrequently - and not at all this year - but we have shared some wonderful and some dreadful experiences over these thirty years, the kind of experiences which form strong bonds. I wept as those memories filled me up but I wasn't just weeping for the memories, I was weeping because at a bleak time when my emotional health has really been stretched, somebody had put time, money and energy into showing me that they love me and care about me.
I intend to learn from this experience. You don't always know how other people are coping and a small gesture can make a big difference. I want the people who I care about to know that they are important to me. But that's for next year, right now I am enjoying these quiet days between Christmas and New Year with good books, mince pies and crochet. This morning we watched the snow fall for a couple of hours, covering the view from the window with a pure white blanket for a few hours, although it has gone now. Right now, things seem as they should be.
See you soon.
Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x
What a lovely surprise from a friend. I, too, am enjoying these quieter days. No snow here, but soft drizzly rain. All of life's experiences shape us, sometimes in surprising ways. It will be interesting to look back on these strange days and see what we think.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am putting a scrap book together so that in the future, I can look back and see how it feels at the moment. "We are the product of our experiences" is one of my most-used phrases. x
DeleteWhat a lovely gift from your friend, just perfect for you. There are always some bright stars in amongst the darkness. x
ReplyDeleteMy friend is one of those stars, she has the biggest heart of almost anyone I know. x
DeleteA really lovely gesture! Everything continues here up to twelfth night so no decorations are taken down. On the 5th January the big three kings parade goes around the city and the kings arrive by helicopter. This year there will be no crowds and no goodies thrown to the children. Children will watch from their balconies and it will be televised. The kings leave the gifts after midnight and the kings day on 6th Jan is a fiesta day. My tree goes down the next morning. enjoy Amanda x
ReplyDeleteIt sounds wonderful, Amanda. I like Epiphany because it kind of puts a full stop on Christmas. I shall put the magi in the crib and chalk the door to ask for a blessing on my home. x
DeleteOh, that is beautiful. Both the plate and the sentiment.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these quiet days. X
I love 'Twixtmas, Jules. x
DeleteSuch a lovely gift and perfect for you no wonder you feel overwhelmed by it. Snowing again here. Take care and enjoy these quiet days of Christmas:)
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the peace, Rosie. We had snow again yesterday, it was magical. x
DeleteI’m sure a gift well deserved. Enjoy your twelve days of Christmas as will we. No doubt you have snow too to make it extra festive. Stay cosy. B x
ReplyDeleteYes, we had snow on Monday and Tuesday and it was beautiful while it lasted. My grandson built his first snowman - and expected it to fly during the night! x
DeleteWhat a lovely gesture from your friend. Friends and family are the most important things in this world. Happy New Year to you, a year full of meeting up with chums.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jean, I absolutely agree, friends and family are the most important things in the world. I need to let them know that I cherish them. x
DeleteWhat a lovely friendship! The gift is perfect for you - very thoughtful. We keep our decorations up for the twelve days of Christmas. On the 6th January (La Festa dell'Epifania in Italy our family tradition is to give gifts to the children, usually sweet treats, thinking of the kings who brought gifts to Jesus. We do not have little ones now, but our Berkshire daughter continues the custom.
ReplyDeleteI do think that it's lovely to hand one's traditions down through the generations. On 6th January I shall place the magi in the crib and chalk the door to ask for a blessing on my home. x
DeleteA friend in the truest sense of the meaning...take care Mrs. Tiggywinkle. xx
ReplyDeleteShe is a special person. You too, Jackie. x
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