'I don't want my dad to get wrong gift at Christmas'
Written by Drew Hendry
The past year has been one that we will never forget but, for most, it’s one we look forward to putting behind us.
The recent positive news about several vaccines looking like they will soon be available has filled us all with hope and as we wait for the jab in the arm that will set us on the road to a more normal life we must, of course, continue to knuckle down to the task of looking after and supporting each other.
This year especially, we must reach out to others over the coming weeks, whether that is by using technology to connect or by supporting local groups and charities, such as our food banks and MFR cash for kids.
They’ll need all the assistance they can get to help those families and children who have nothing or little, not only at Christmas time but throughout this even more challenging winter.
By now everyone will have seen that there is new restriction guidance for the few days of Christmas. For some, the decision, taken across all nations of the UK will not go far enough and for others, there will be great concern that it’s gone too far.
I understand both points of view. It is a choice, but I hope most people will avoid taking advantage of this.
Personally, in the first time I can remember, I will not spend Christmas Day with my father. It’s a tough decision, similar to that many of you will be making, but I don’t want him to get the wrong type of present from 2020.
As we know, not everyone celebrates Christmas and, in our diverse constituency, in addition to those who choose no recognised faith, we have seen others adjust important celebrations, holding them online or observing them in other ways over the past months.
Indeed, since the pandemic began, we will have seen Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Rosh Hashanah and Diwali observed in a much different way, as with Hanukkah in a couple of weeks.
I want to share my appreciation for those who have sacrificed these significant occasions to put the safety of others and our communities first.
Regardless of our faith or none, we will all also take in the bells in a different way this year, and while a lot of us will miss our usual celebrations, I suspect many will celebrate seeing the back of this extraordinary year.
