Well, it's finally here . Winter, that is, or whatever semblance of the stuff we get down here. Still, there it is. Rummy thing about this season is, it creates activity. Everyone's either throwing
parties, dinners, cocktails, or just packing off and going on a toot. An
enormous percentage of the general population seems to find this season just
the right time to jump off the dock (read get married). Perhaps it's the
fallout of the activity epidemic or a realisation that all the days of the
year have suddenly run out, so why not make the best of what's left and get hitched. I must confess at this point that I have the heart of an eternal
bachelor, for it is I believe the only honourable estate which allows a man
to preserve his mental equilibrium. But I digress, getting back to the nip
in the air (and I use the expression loosely), it has it's pros and cons,
but personally speaking, I think the pros outweigh the cons. True, one can
sense the devious flu-bug flapping it's microscopic wings in the air, and
one is gulping down copious amounts of Vitamin C and orange juice to ward
off this killjoy; however, it is also the weather which heralds the advent
of Christmas. Christmas in it's varied warm hues tends to uplift ones'
spirits, gives a man hope and an inclination to look forward to the nicer
things in life. Christmas Trees,Carols, Plum Puddings,
Mistletoe, Stuffed Turkeys, Presents and of course good old Saint Nick, are
thoughts which put a smile on the stiffest of stiff upper-lips. I may not
believe there's an over-weight old gent clad in red nightwear swooping down
the chimney with a sackful of goodies, but I have no shame in admitting that
I do believe in Santa Claus. One has never forgotten writing letters to
Santa,hanging Christmas stockings and waiting eagerly all night only to run
out at the crack of dawn to unwrap the boxes beneath the Christmas Tree.
Whatever emerged from those packages, be it ever so humble as a mechanical
ladybug (one of my all time faves), it was magical. The festivities at home,
the ever-running kitchen and the warmth of guests added to that magic. That,
I believe still endures and that to me is the magic of Santa Claus and
Christmas.
What i'm getting at, I suppose, to wrap it up in a nut shell, is:
May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.
I wish all my friends here, and their n & d ones a very Merry Christmas and
a Blessed New Year ahead.
