No coincidence then, that I am finding the space, the time and the thought to turn again to writing. I have missed it. As Christmas arrives and time stops for a brief moment, I am able to gather and reflect on the last few months in preparation for the New Year. I have decorated, I have bought gifts, friends have gathered and I have begun to rest, for the first time in quite some months.
Even though I have only been in my little home for a couple of years, I already feel sense of seasonal routine about Christmas here - I had a wonderful afternoon buying my tree, stringing up bunting and pine cones and baubles, before friends gathered last weekend to decorate the tree and celebrate together. We mulled, we sang, we chatted and it was good.
Now that the term has finished I find myself able to enjoy the peace and festivities all the more. The long and winding road of text book writing is hopefully, with luck and faith and a lot of hard work, coming to an end and I am grateful. I am grateful more so for the ever glorious life at school which is so good. I'll be focusing on that after Christmas.
I am longing to see my family and friends - those up north, those down south, those in London and those who have moved around so much that it's hard to keep track. The great Christmas Visiting Spree begins on Monday.
I will spend my holidays reflecting back, and looking forward, whist savouring the time I have to simply, be.
Merry Christmas.
