Family Ramblings...

Written by Charlotte Blake

When there are children in the house, Christmas morning starts early, but this year will feel somewhat different. Usually Granny comes to stay the night before and as one child is turfed out of their bedroom to excitedly have a sleepover in their siblings bedroom, we hear... "Turn out the light Peter!" exclaimed Abby, the frustrated older sister to her younger brother "But I can't sleep without the light on..." whined Peter "I am sure neither of you will sleep at this rate and if Santa sees you two wide awake, then he'll have to bypass our house and go straight to the boys next door." The realisation of this hits home and the wave of panic spreads slowly across both faces. "I've left the landing light on and the door ajar, is that any better?" I ask hoping my ninja negotiation skills win the day. "Ok, thank you!" replied the children, keen to secure their delivery. The thought of no presents under the tree in the morning from Santa always works. I've actually been using this tactic for about the last six weeks and if I'm honest it never grows old and has 100% success rate. The old ones are the best, but I know for sure that Santa would never miss any child out on Christmas Eve. However it does get a bit much when I would have to use the same tactic on Granny. Sadly this year Granny won't be joining us for any festivities and we will miss her mischievous ways, such as winding the children up that Santa isn't real, which was always said with a wink and big grin. She became the third child of the family at the age of 80 plus and with age she demonstrated a new level of teasing which spread across the whole family - the dog, her son-in-law (that was my favourite) and even the in-laws. She became a master genius at it. Christmas Day is when it came in to play the best. "Is this chicken dear?" she would say with a twinkle in her eye - she knew full well it was Turkey! "Anyone like a tea?" she would offer as she snuck off to the drink cabinet to pour her 5th night cap. Not entirely convinced she genuinely forgot or was so over her limit, she just couldn't count anymore. Either way when I look back at Christmass's of old, I am fondly taken back to times which warm my heart but I never probably really appreciated them. So as we all enjoy the festivities, think back with joy and love, of the time you had with those we have lost. But also take a moment to cherish the ones that remain. Leave the light on, stay up late and dream big and well, for another day will dawn and we will see them again.

Charlotte Blake is a new writer on the scene, a frazzled mum of two children, her dog is her best friend and her husband is the biggest kid on the block. Which all can only make for one thing, many funny but also moving memories to share.