My Nuts and Bolts

It’s nearly that time of year again, Xmas and the New Year, and one that I look forward to greatly. It’s very much a family time for me and I am lucky to have this extended clan which, until last year, included my wife’s mum, Nancy. Fortunately, it’s also important to my wife and youngest daughter who feel the same way and are much given to ensuring that all goes according to plan. For which I’m extremely grateful. Both are Xmas preparers par excellence, Ellie having learned it from her mum who learnt it from her parents.

So, we have an advent calendar and stocking for Ellie; the former to set the tone and the latter for bits and bobs on Xmas day, along with the larger presents. Gaynor, you see, has been brought up to celebrate the occasion which requires an adherence to these rituals. For someone who hadn’t had much experience of these as a child, I find them a delight. No experience, you see, meant that, much as I tried, I wasn’t very good at “Xmas”. Therefore, when someone takes so much trouble to do it for you, it’s especially pleasurable.

So, why is this all so important to me? Well, I think it represents, among my extended family, that sharing and caring world that I write and talk about. It also demonstrates personally that, even if there are some things that are, somewhat, alien to you, that doesn’t mean that you don’t want them. It just means that, like me, you didn’t know how to do it. Well, now I do and, like much else in life, the devil is in the detail. That means that, although the grand gestures may look good, it’s the nuts and bolts that really make things work.

So, here’s to my family, the nuts and bolts of my life.

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