Friendship...for all the joys and all the sorrows

“And I am blessed, every time I look into my baby's eyes

I think of all the friends who've touched my life

I realise in a world where some have more and some have less

I have love and I am blessed”

I listened to this song again recently and these lines stuck me afresh because I can truly say I have the most amazing friends! I have friends who will listen to me jabbering on about some issue I am wrestling with, without judging me, who will give me wise counsel, laugh and cry with me, hug and make a fuss of me. Friends who will take me aside if they think I am making a fool of myself, take me out for lunch, message me on facebook, take me on holiday, invite me over for coffee! Friends who will encourage me when I diet, buy new clothes (because that’s rarity!) make me think about my motives, love and support my sons, buy me random presents, encourage me to be spontaneous! The list could go on….and I know these amazing people would be there for me and my family if things went wrong for us, they are the friends we all dream of and too often I don’t realise that without them in my life, I would be less of a person. Working, as I do, with the general public I meet a lot of lonely people across the generations who don’t have people whose shoulders they can cry on or laugh themselves silly with…and I realise how rich I am because of the wonderful men and women I have in my life…and how often I take their friendship for granted. I hope that in 2008 I too, will be a worthwhile and supportive friend…

Tis the Season....

I am sitting here wondering if I have turned into “Bah Humbug”. I have decided, this year, to have a good look at the way we “do Christmas” in our family, and instead of ignoring the inner voice that has plagued me over recent years, I have put all my traditions, motivations and thoughts on the table, so to speak and am addressing them full on with no excuses…they have to justify the reason for their continued existence. The reason for this, I am seeking to find ways where Christmas can be celebrated in a way that is honouring to God, where I don’t spend hours trawling shops for stuff, and find myself struggling to stop getting caught up in the materialistic frenzy that the season attracts. Don’t get me wrong, I want to buy presents for my family and friends but I just want to keep it at a meaningful level and a leisurely, enjoyable pace!

I have just returned from my first short Christmas shopping trip and to be honest I feel as if I would rather be sitting by a log fire on some remote Scottish Island watching the rhythm of the day and enjoy being with a few good friends, until all the hype and glitz has gone. What is happening to me? I crave simplicity, family, and the company of friends, conversation, and peace, meals around a table, laughter and acceptance. I don’t want stress, but just venturing out this morning made me aware that the pressure is on and very much out there.

My hope is that we have an authentic Christmas, celebrating the birth of Christ, that we look around and include those who find themselves away from family, but make this a lifestyle not just an act at Christmas. That we make time to enjoy being with one other, that we take time to listen and reflect.

There, I feel better already...