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Looking Towards Christmas – By Sara Ireland
It’s really easy to pick up on the national troubled mood and see every thing through that lens. I practiced challenging myself as I sat in traffic queues today. My first thought was that congestion was down to the impact of both the rail and postal worker strikes but again it could be as much down to Christmas shoppers making their way into town to finish their present buying. Better news!
I asked my colleague wearily whether she and her family had ‘made it’ through to the much anticipated Panto in London at the weekend. ‘Of course’, she replied with good cheer. ‘And it was wonderful!’. I had expected that she would have had to cancel her plans. I was wrong! We are far more adaptable and creative than we think!
Despite the adaptations to Christmas plans to accommodate transport difficulties and financial worries, many people can still access the familiarity and comfort of some of their traditions of the season. We may be concerned about the heating bills, the disruption of strikes and the compassion for strikers’ concerns but we can still put up a tree or see family and friends.
Let’s recognise the progress we have made against Covid, the support of our communities to each other as we struggle with the cost of living and the opportunity to support those who really need our help.
As I write this, I am warmed by the sparking Christmas lights in my neighbours’ houses and the delight of a small child near me receiving a small gift from granny.
Christmases come every year and are hard to keep down! Find your respite, small comforts and simple joys this year. If you are struggling there are so many wonderful support agencies there for you this holiday. Do check the Atrium Resource List. Happy Christmas and a healthy and Happy New year.
