Are you alone? I am, by circumstances and choice. I am alone but not lonely.

I have three sons, three daughters in law and six grand children, I visited them this morning, handed over presents, and received some, all of them are in good health, happy and contented, I am so proud of them all.

I would have been with my lady friend but, she, with my blessings, is visiting her sister in law who lives alone and has just completed her chemotherapy, those are the circumstances. All three of my sons invited me for dinner, it was my choice to say thanks but no.

I am not good at “doing” Christmas since my wife died in 2003 after 40 years together, yes I have “moved on”, I have closed that little door in my memory as you must eventually do, but, at Christmas, I can open it again for a while, not to make me sad but to remember the good things that happened and on my own I can be at peace with the world.

My thoughts in particular go to all those that are facing up to the first Christmas after the loss of a loved one, I know this will be a time of pain, tears, regrets and anger, it is normal and natural, it was a part of your life that has ended, all of these feelings will diminish over a period of time and you will be able to start the new part of your life, I know that you will never forget, and, will be able to open the door to that part of your life when you wish to.

As we go into another new year, may you find peace.