A Christmas wish for you

Hi everyone, tis the night before Christmas, and I began thinking about the people I know that will have someone missing from their Christmas table for the first time this year, as I did back in 2014 when my darling father passed away a couple of months before Christmas, and then my mother-in-law on Boxing Day of the same year. I lost my dear Aunt earlier this year, and I am thinking about how my cousins will feel her loss this Christmas. I also have other friends and family who have lost someone this year, or who are going through difficult times. 

The first year is always the most difficult after loosing someone. 

A couple of months after my father passed, I wrote the poem you can read below here, and I hope it might bring some comfort to those of you who have lost someone this year. This is my gift to you. Hold onto your precious memories of your loved one. They are with you still. 

The Ghosts of Christmas Past

                                                                                                                  
Christmas only comes but once a year
It brings with it joys and tears.
 
As I go through the motions of gift buying, decorations
And planning menus
I am thinking of those who will be missing from my table
for the first time this year
They are the ghosts of Christmas past.
 
My father hanging Christmas lights in the pine trees
at our front gate
The carol singers under our corner street light.
 
I lay in bed wondering how Father Christmas could possibly
come down our kitchen chimney and through the little doors
at the front of our Metters Stove.
But he did – because the carrots and cake were gone
 in the morning.

 
The excitement of seeing my new big doll Lucy
under the Christmas tree.
 
My mother dishing up the Christmas pudding with the
threepences hidden inside
Her Christmas carols that filled the house.
 
The long Christmas table at my Aunts
With aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents
And silly hats.

 
Summer heat and laughter,
Playing under the sprinkler on the back lawn,
And laying on the cool lino of the passage way with a new book.
 
The simple pleasure of humid summer evenings on the
back lawn looking up at the stars.
 
As I hang the special Christmas baubles on my tree
And light the candle of remembrance
I look into the eyes of my grandchildren

And I see the ghosts of Christmas past.

I found this beautiful song from Enya several years ago, and I thought I would share it with you.

The Spirit of Christmas Past.....

When tears are in your eyes, it's time to look inside, your heart can find another way

Believe in what I say, don't throw this time away,

Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, Christmas Day

So, let the shadows go, and drift away like snow,
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, tomorrow will be Christmas Day

So dream until the night becomes the morning light

Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, tomorrow will be Christmas Day.

You can hear the music track by clicking here (skip the advert) -   The Spirit of Christmas Past

A very subdued Christmas message this year. If you are looking for something more upbeat I recommend you go to some of my past Christmas posts -

The 12 days of Aussie Christmas - 2022

Christmas in Australia - 2021

Christmas Waves it's magic wand over the world - 2021

The Christmas in Australia edition - 2020

Red Flowering gum - Australia 

My thoughts are also with those around the world who are suffering from wars, famine and natural disasters. I wish man could find a way to live together in peace and help each other no matter what our religion or culture. I wish for a light to shine in the darkness, peace and goodwill towards all peoples. 

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wish you peace and safety, shelter, food on the table, and time spent with those you love. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   

Mosaic Monday @ Soul & Mind & So On

Saturdays Critters - Viewing Nature With Eileen

Travel Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

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4WDriving on Bob's Track to Hamelin Bay Beach

Last weekend our eldest son took as along a 4-wheel-drive only track to Hamelin Bay beach, which lies north of Augusta and south of Margaret River in the Capes area of south west Western Australia.

We weren't sure of what we were getting ourselves into, but our son enjoys his 4-wheel-driving, and we decided to tag along for a family day at the beach at Hamelin Bay. We left home at about 7am, and headed first down the South West Highway, onto Sues Road, and Brockman Highway, popping out onto the Bussell Highway at Karridale. From here we headed west on Bushey Road to Caves Road and then onto Bob's Track. 

It became immediately apparent to our son that the track had degraded quite a bit since his last trip here a couple of years ago. The guys took a short walk up the track to check it out, and then let their tyre pressures down before attempting the track. Reducing tyre pressure, and putting your vehicle in low range, is important for 4WDriving on tracks, over rocky ground, and through soft sand.  It helps your vehicle crawl over the rocks, reduces your chances of becoming bogged, and saves the track from further degradation. There are a lot of factors that come into play when considering what tyre pressure is best. My son recommended about 15psi.  If you are towing, reduce the tyre pressures on whatever you are towing too.

Please click here to keep reading more....

I wish you enough

Someone sent this to me today and I thought it was beautiful, so I wanted to share  it with you..........

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how grey the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them. 

And here are some beautiful yellow daisies full of sunshine which I capture in my front garden on Monday.