There is very little we want for Christmas – our nearest and dearest around us, good food and time to relax. For many, it is also a time of spiritual closeness to God, a time when we sing carols and exchange gifts.

Let’s try not to judge anyone for their behaviour because truly we have no idea what’s going on in someone’s head or what pressures they are under. It could be a simple thing in the grand scheme of things but mammoth in the mind of the person involved. Maybe a student wants to tell you that they hate their college course and wants to change to a different one. It’s normal. Life’s roadblocks are only a minor detail in the grand scheme of things.

All I want for Christmas...

My lovely mam used to say about Christmas, “I just want my four chickens around me”. I’ve always loved the image of a lovely brown hen trying to get her clutch of chickens underneath her. She’s shuffling and clucking and it’s the most beautiful sound. The feathers are hot and it must be the cosiest place on earth.

When I was a young girl, I remember my dad, John, greeting us in the yard after school. “Marie, I found the brown hen,” he called to my mother. Mam’s excitement was real. Out we went to the ditch. There she was in all her glory sitting on her nest, the brown hen. Mam coaxed her out and the little chicks ran after her. She clucked and fussed and the delight of it stays with us to this day. The little brown hen was a celebrity around the farmyard.

Some chickens won’t make it home this Christmas and some won’t make it on 25 December. Fuss not, have them together whenever it suits and cook for them on whatever day they can come together.

Philip and Colm will probably be going to their wives’ families. So we will have Julie, Dave, Ricky and Diarmuid. We will have two of Tim’s nephews, Liam and Donagh while their parents are travelling. They will light up our afternoon. I will have a family dinner on New Year’s Day. So, wherever you are have a lovely peaceful time.

Tears of joy

I had a scan recently. My consultant, Deirdre rang me that evening. She asked how I was. I said that I was well. She said, I know you are well because your scan is good.

Some of the nodules have reduced and others are disappearing. I could hardly take the good news in. I rushed up to Tim with tears streaming down my face. I was quick to say it’s good news. We didn’t celebrate. We just banked the win.

I’d like to wish a Merry Christmas to the wonderful teams of doctors, nurses, lab technicians, radiographers, radiologists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, admin staff, catering and cleaning staff that look after me so well.

I am humbled when I think of all the people that are involved in my care. My continued good health is completely in their hands. Deirdre is so supportive and kind. My GP, Dr Sheena Finn, and the team at East Gate Medical in Ballincollig, the gang in my local pharmacy, First Plus (Tower) headed up by Keith Hourihan. Without that support, I’d be suffering. I’m not. I can cope because of good care.

To all my lovely readers, thank you for your continued prayers. Merry Christmas.