December 20th, 2020Just sayin’…

I just read Kyle’s Rant and thought of this song. Not as funny as Fred Dagg but then, this year has not been funny. It really does seem like we have been down a long road, especially in Victoria, but most of us have just made it out, fingers crossed, in time for Christmas. (As I write this, the Northern Beaches outbreak is happening, so I guess some of us will still be be relying on Zoom or Skype.)

We are doing it quietly this year. Over the past many years Christmas has involved my mum, who we lost in May. Well, we didn’t lose her, she died. Yes, at 87, but no, she is not in a better place, she would rather be here, spending time with her family and friends. I miss her so much.
Luckily, last year I managed to coerce my brother and sister-in-law and sister and two sons, to Glenlyon where we had our first full family Christmas in many years. Maybe 25? We ate lunch under the oak tree, dessert in the school house and snoozed on the deck. It was pretty much a perfect day.
Mum had come up for a few other Christmas Days here. Spent with friends. They were fantastic as well. I remember one with one friend bringing a turkey and gravy, another friend bringing the pav and another the potatoes. I just made a salad. Mum spent the morning fretting that we weren’t doing anything and was a bit amazed when it all just came together.
Another time we visited good friends in Wheatsheaf. Their lovely neighbour took mum off for a walk and offered to share a joint with her. Very neighbourly. Mum, 83 at the time, said she declined but I am not sure. She was pretty happy that afternoon.
Anyway, this year we will again spend the day with good friends who will do a full Christmas dinner and expect nothing in return. We have decided on no presents but will get them something anyway. We will eat too much, drink too much and probably have a dance or two at the end of the night. Those sort of friends.
And then roll on 2021. I will be very happy to put 2020 behind us. What a shit year. I think the only thing that kept me sane was The Local. Producing a good read, week in and week out. So thanks for the sanity and the support. And Merry Christmas – I hope you have fun with your near and dear, and old and young. And finally without any fear. Just sayin’…