I’m sick. It’s a seasonal illness I have and it’s fairly contagious as far as I can see. It’s Christmas Fever. Symptoms vary but include, twitching, lots of sighing, a feeling of panic, a worrying loss of short term memory leading to walking into shops and not knowing what I wanted, sleepless nights, crazy dreams involving no parking, credit card being refused and arriving home to discover I bought the wrong size…or maybe that wasn’t a dream?
It’s been a very busy week, with another mad one about to begin. I’ve had seven articles to write for my weekly newspaper column in the past three weeks and thankfully I’ve only one left to finish. Next week, due to my great connections, I’ve managed to secure a visit
from Mr Claus himself to see my young swimmers in their final nights of swimming. However Santa seems to be on a bit of a go slow so it’s up to me to provide him with a total of 220 party bags, bought and made up by me. It is a little time consuming to say the least, but the excitement when he rings the bell and appears at the pool will be well worth it.
As I sit here tonight I am relishing the silence. Time to unwind and step away from all the madness of the season. Later I will turn off my laptop, put away my phone and just be. I hope it’s enough to recharge my batteries.
My family have been hassling me to make a wish list. We all make one, putting on it all sorts of big and small things we would like to get for Christmas and then by magic, some of it appears under the Christmas tree. However I am struggling with mine, for in truth I want for very little. I’m not into clothes or makeup and I have a kindle so buy myself books regularly.
But if I were to ask for just one thing for Christmas what would it be? And you? What would you wish for?
Given that we cannot bring the dead back to life, I’ll not ask for my dad or young Daniel to reappear so what would I really like? Well, the one thing I’d love above all else is actually not a present anyone can buy me and if I do get it this year, which I hope to, I expect it to be late.
For the one thing I’d love this Christmas is for the world to stop turning, just for a few hours.
In that time there would be no need for phones or the internet. The doorbell would not work and all six of us, my children, himself and myself, would be at home together. We would be gathered in the sitting room where the smell of the Christmas tree and cinnamon candles hits you full on as you walk in the door. There would be a movie or programme on TV we would all be enjoying, rather loudly, as everyone would have an opinion on it. Perhaps when it’s over we would pull out a game, such as thirty seconds and come close to killing each other in our quest to be on the winning team.
Then, just before the world begins to spin once more, the moment would freeze.
I would then take the time to look about me. I’d see my husband of many years laughing, my children and dog in various animated poses, obviously enjoying the moment. Despite the silence I’d continue to hear the echo of their voices around the room and drifting upstairs. Finally, I would take that moment and place it where so many other precious moments are stored, never to be forgotten, no matter what the future holds. All that I’m most proud of gathered about me.
But I can’t put that down on a list or my children will freak out, so perhaps new pyjamas will do?
photo credit: Marcus Rahm paper arrow via photopin (license)
photo credit: Katrinitsa Christmas decoration via photopin (license)
photo credit: DaPuglet Christmas Tree Pug via photopin (license)
My thoughts on a page. 
I love your wish, Tric.
I’d go all out at a global level and wish for peace everywhere. If the soldiers could have a truce in WW1, why not go further and wish for long-term peace in all the warring places. And as an extra, I would really, really like to see an end to homelessness in Ireland. It’s too much for people to bear.
I like your thinking Jean.
The homeless situation is dreadful, hard to believe how much it’s increasing in this country, especially as it’s such a small country.
Yes I think moments where time stands still would be just perfect.
new PJs, great idea! ❤
Diana xo
🙂 Can never go wrong with new PJs.
I love your wish, even just a few minutes of stopped time would be wonderful. This year my two dear sons and their sweet ladies will be here for Christmas with my hubby and me. This is a time I cherish, as they both live far from home and we don’t get to visit regularly. I feel so blessed that they still want to come home to see mom and dad. My wish this year was for a new bath robe that I could snuggle up in. So very close to PJs.
What a very special Christmas it will be for you Charlene. Enjoy every minute.
My wish would be to have all three of my kids and my three grand kids together. I don’t think one of them will be able to shrug off certain feelings so I don’t think it will happen but I can dream. That’s all I want.
Oh that would indeed be lovely for you. Such a pity it’s only a dream, but somethings are not always possible. As long as you all have your health. Enjoy your Christmas whatever you do.
This is beautiful, Tric. You always pull on the heartstrings. The world probably won’t stop spinning, but grab that awareness anyway. Be fully present in the moment, capture it in your memory, and enjoy.
Yes I intend to, if I live past the pre Christmas build up! Enjoy your own ‘captured’ moments.
I took my own advice this morning and it was wonderful. Thank you 🙂
this is such a lovely wish, tric and i understand and wish for the very same thing )
I hope we both get what we wish for. I somehow suspect we will.
A perfect wish Tric x
Now I must try to make it come true. I hope you have a lovely Christmas this year Nicola. Enjoy.
And you too Tric 🙂
How lovely and I feel churlish in wishing almost the opposite! For me I would love the promise of regular respite for my severely disabled daughter so I could have some time to be myself and she coul learn to be less dependent on me xx
What is rare is beautiful Candi. To each their own. I am craving as much time as I can with my gang because our hours together are getting rarer.
You are in the opposite position and if I were there with you I’d have the exact same wish as you.
That’s a memory worth keeping.
Here’s to us all having lovely memories this Christmas, frozen in time for darker days.