My Belated Christmas

Christmas Day was miserable; completely on my own
I really felt the odd man out, just dwelling all alone
But Boxing Day was different, with family being here
My son and the little ones; I hold them all so dear

The children’s eyes lit up as they saw all the wrapping
Both of them excited, and Charlie started clapping
Off came the paper, the ribbons and the bows
Imogen’s gifts all lined up in neat, tidy rows

The afternoon was spent playing with their new toys
I didn’t mind for one minute all the chat and noise
Tom brought their dinner as they wouldn’t eat nut roast
We all enjoyed our food, and Tom ate the most

It was a joy to have them here; they stayed overnight
New pyjamas, bedtime stories and all tucked up tight
Tom and I got chatting – it made a welcome change
It didn’t seem quite natural, so felt a bit strange

We ironed out our differences, which did us both good
My Christmas Day sadness seemed to be understood
The next day, we got up very early in the morning
The children were still tired; Charlie couldn’t stop yawning

They piled all their presents high in the car’s large boot
They waved out of the windows and headed on their route
I came back indoors to start clearing up the mess
I really wasn’t bothered as I felt so very blessed

Tuesday morning came, more excitement on the way
My daughter and her family came; we had a lovely day
We went to a restaurant, had lunch and some pud
Stuffed to the brim, as the food was so good

I hadn’t seen them all for much more than half a year
So, it was such a pleasure to have them visiting here
They didn’t stay that long; they had a fair way to go
When I’ll see them again, I really don’t know

As long as the love between us is always there
There’ll always be memories for us to share
I love both my children; they bring me so much joy
My five-foot-nothing daughter and my six-foot-two boy.


Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash

Author: Ellie Thompson

Writing my memoirs, musings, a little fiction and a lot of poetry as a way of exploring and making the most of my life ... ... Having had a break from writing my blog for more than three years, I decided to return to write my memoirs, some day-to-day observations, views and feelings. My passion is non-fiction poetry. I have a disability and use an electric powerchair called Alfie and let nothing get in the way of living life to the full. I believe that you can never do a kindness too soon and should give credit where credit is due. A smile or a kind word could make the difference between a good or bad day for a person - we never know what's going on for another soul. Those little things, perhaps, practised daily like a mantra, could mean so much to someone else. Thank you for visiting my blog and reading a little more about me. Please, make yourself at home here. You are very welcome. Ellie x 😊

63 thoughts on “My Belated Christmas”

    1. Thanks, J. When it finally got here, it was lovely. I think there is so much expectation put on Christmas Day itself, that anything other than the ‘norm’ is a disappointment. Too much advertising doesn’t help. I’ll try to remember how this year turned out in the end, so if I find myself in that situation again, perhaps, I’ll cope with it better next time. X 💜💛💕💛💜

      Reply

      1. You are going through a lot in your life right now, Ellie, so your felings and reactions are not unexpected. Some days down, some days up.
        And yes, society does give us expectations. But while you are a part of society, you do not have to play their games. Make whatever days you want special for you. No one can tell you that a particular day is the only special day. Be flexible. And let society go do whatever it wants. You are special, and no one can take that away from you. Do things your way.
        Xmas in Canada, and I guess the States, was a big bollux this year because of the weather. People were stranded all over the place, unable to get home to their loved ones. Airports and railroad stations were full of people stuck where they were because planes were grounded and trains could not leave the station. One group in particular, in a train that had left the station, were stranded in the train cars for something like 15 hours because the train was stuck in the snow. It could not go forward, it could not go back. They had no food, and minimal amounts of water. Body heat was all that kept them from freezing to death. They should have stayed home, but society said you must be with your loved ones. So they went, and had the worst Xmas ever. The news did not tell us how they coped, but they had no choice but to cope somehow, and they did. Humans are capable of mighty things.
        The lesson here is do things when they are right for you. Trying to force things to happen on special days can bring hardship, so why bother?
        I think you did really well, Ellie. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for! You go, girl!

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      1. My pleasure! I’m very happy you’ve had this experience, hold onto it, for more will come!

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    1. Thank you, Greg. It was my reality. Everything I ever write is always 100% totally true and real-life. Having had a miserable Christmas Day, it turned out that I had two lovely days with my family after that. I very rarely see my daughter and her family, though, so this time made it special. There’s a lot of water under the bridge with my daughter and I, although I love her dearly and I think she does me, too. I see more of my son as he comes to stay with the children more often. I think relationships are complicated at the best of times, let alone at Christmas when there is so much pressure on people to have a ‘wonderful time’. Wonderful often isn’t the reality with many families and friends. I’m very grateful that I had those two days with my family. I hope you are well, Greg. X

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      1. That’s good. Good point.

        I was with my parents. It was just the three of us this year. I’m back home now, just relaxing until I go back to work. I always take a month or so off from writing every six months in the fictional timeline, so I’ll be taking a planned break at least through the end of January, and at some point during that time I’ll plan ahead for the rest of season 4 of DLTDGB.

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  5. I’m very happy your Boxing Day—had to refresh my memory as to WHY on Earth are the English so obsessed with cardboard boxes!!! 😉 —went so well. It breaks my heart you were alone on Dec. 25th though. Sorry Darling. As my above comment mentions: why you gotta be so damn far away woman!!! 😋

    Wishing you a VERY happy New Years Ellie, for you and yours!!! ❣️ 💕

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    1. Thanks, Dwain. Being alone for Christmas Day was really miserable and lonely, but then, the next two days spent with my family made up for it. I wasn’t sure where the tradition of Boxing Day came from, so I googled it. Apparently, it comes from a long time ago when the rich used to present the poor, often their staff and servants with gifts in boxes. Thank you for the happy New Year wishes. I wish the same for you and your family, too. X 😘💕

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    1. Thanks, Jeff. It was lovely having them all here. I, too, think everything would be better if we could do that. I see my son and the children quite often now that they come to stay sometimes. I doubt I’ll see my daughter until the school summer holidays around August time. I miss them, but that’s how it’s always been and I do make the most of the time when they’re here and we talk on the phone about once a week, so, at least, we are in touch.

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  12. All’s well that ends well, then, it seems. I’m glad it all worked out and the fact the days all seemed to be one day out doesn’t matter one jot. You obviously had a lovely couple of days with your families and it sounds as though there’ll be many more to look forward to now.

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    1. It was a lovely couple of days in the end. I know my son and the children will be staying quite often in the future because of my son’s situation with him splitting up with his ex-girlfriend. They still haven’t sold their house yet, which is holding the whole process up. Nevertheless, they do come and stay fairly often, which is lovely. I probably won’t see my daughter and family again for several months as they don’t visit often at all. I’m guessing the next time will be in the school summer holidays. It feels like a long way away, but that’s how it’s always been. It was great to see her, my son-in-law and the girls, though. I just make the most of when I do see them.

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      1. I know what you mean about your daughter, it’s rather that way with one of mine. I’ve long ago accepted that if I’m to continue seeing her, it rather has to be on her own terms. But it works, even if it’s not a perfect situation.

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        1. It’s the same with me, Mick. I’ve had to come to that conclusion, too. If I try and chase her up and keep asking when she’s going to come, it only pushes her away further. At least this way, we manage to stay on good terms and have a loving relationship when I do see her and when we talk on the phone about once a week. As you say, not perfect, but it does work.

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    1. Thanks, Brit. I will try to do that. It was a lovely couple of days. It was especially good to see my daughter and the girls, as I hadn’t seen them since last August, and my eldest granddaughter since last Christmas. I’m hoping to see my son and the children again in a couple of weeks. Happy New Year to you. Xx 🌷💕

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      1. My adoptive mom unfortunately passed away in 2017. My biological family and I have nothing in common and quite frankly hold conspiracy, religious and political views that are lies and flat out dangerous, so no, I have little to no contact with them.

        I just spent the day with my puddy cats. I am not much of a holiday person in my old age anyway.

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        1. I’m sorry to hear that, Brian. Given what you said, I can understand why you don’t have any contact with your biological family. I’m glad you had Anneplath and Kelly to keep you company over Christmas. I was also grateful to have Peanut with me when I was alone on Christmas Day.

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  16. I am so happy for you and your sweet family, and for the time you spent together with them! You were on my mind!! Blessings continued for you and your family and a most precious New Year’s to you my dear friend! 💖🙏😇🎉💝

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    1. Thank you so much, Pamelap. That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you for your New Year’s wishes and I wish you and your family a wonderful, joy-filled 2023. Xx 💕💐✨💕

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    1. Thank you, Jenn, for your love, support and good wishes for the New Year. I was okay this morning, but this afternoon and as Wednesday draws nearer, the fear is setting in. I’ve written another poem – it’s not as lighthearted as I would have liked it to be, especially with everyone celebrating the New Year today, but it’s how I’m feeling right now. Much love to you. Hugs, too. Xx 💖🌼💕

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    1. Thank you so much, Deborah. I’m relatively okay today, although having to cope with the ending of my therapy yesterday. I’m trying to stay positive, though. Love and hugs to you, too Xx 🌹💓🌹

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    1. Thank you so much, Selma. Although it was a day late, I had a wonderful Boxing Day and the following day with my family. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them, so it was such a special time. A Happy Belated New Year to you, also. Hugs Xx 🤗💓

      Reply

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