We say Christmas is a time for families being together, giving gifts and a time of joy. I reflect over the Christmas’ I have spent as a service wife. Many a Christmas morning sitting with my daughter in front of the Christmas tree looking at the presents whilst my husband and her dad are away at sea.
We both take the envelope from under the tree with anticipation knowing it contains special words written by him before he left for duty. She opens it and reads it aloud and we both have tears in our eyes from his words. These words are special, the most precious present we open on Christmas day.
Through time we come to realise that whilst Christmas is a commercial driven holiday, in spite of this it’s not about how much you spend on gifts or even if you get a gift, it’s about the love for each other and the gratitude that your loved ones can be with you at this festive time.
As we move through our life’s things change and loved ones pass, Christmas becomes different, but remember those who went before us, we continue their family rituals. We learned them from our parents as children. We continue these rituals as adults with our own children and now our children will take these rituals forward and form new ones.
My husband is home now, my daughter has a love of her own and is starting a new life with him in their own home.
I love nothing more than spending Christmas with my family but I always remember those no longer with us and those still in the Armed Forces all over the world who spend the time away from home and their loved ones so we can sleep safe in our bed at night. This is a gift than money can’t buy.
By Mary Welsh
